BAT Launches Virtual R&D Visitor Experience

Apr.07.2022
BAT Launches Virtual R&D Visitor Experience
BAT launches virtual visitor experience showcasing cutting-edge research and development activities in various scientific fields.

January 19, 2022

 

BAT has launched a new virtual visitor experience that allows guests to "walk through" the company's research and development laboratories, meet top scientists, and view the results of new research. Tourists have the opportunity to explore the company's scientific methods and progress in reducing tobacco harm, as well as showcasing R&D activities in important and emerging fields such as biology, chemistry, toxicology, sensory science, aerosol analysis, product safety, consumer insights, and plant biotechnology. This underscores BAT's commitment to science in reducing the impact of its business on health and providing a better tomorrow. TMBAT has created a virtual R&D visitor experience, an online tour of its global R&D center located in Southampton, UK, allowing people to explore its cutting-edge science and innovation.

 

Experience is built on a foundation of the best available technology, open and transparent scientific methods, which support the reduction of risk in product portfolios and beyond nicotine activities. The company regularly welcomes visitors to its global research center, with over 3,500 people seeing the facilities firsthand since 2011. However, with travel greatly reduced, virtual experiences allow people from around the world to access and understand BAT's scientific research, reduce tobacco harm reduction (THR) activities, and gain insights and perspectives from experts.

 

David O'Reilly, PhD, the Director of scientific research at BAT, emphasized the importance of research and development as the foundation of their work. By prioritizing science and research, they have made significant progress in developing new product categories that have undergone rigorous testing and scientific validation as reduced-risk alternatives to traditional tobacco products. Their research is heavily influenced by consumer preferences and continually incorporates evolving scientific and innovative developments into their products. This approach allows them to offer a range of enjoyable, reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes while maintaining very high safety and quality standards.

 

Our new virtual visitor experience showcases the breadth of science we are conducting and the strong scientific framework we are using to evaluate and support our products in reducing tobacco harm.

 

A virtual visitor experience has been developed, offering a one-stop center for people who wish to learn about the science behind BAT. This includes a tour through the 360-degree lab, animations, videos, scientist profiles and podcasts. The aim of this initiative is to highlight BAT's commitment in building a better future while reducing its impact on public health. BAT invests nearly £350 million annually to find innovative ways to reduce its influence on public health and aims to have 50 million non-combustible product consumers by 2030.

 

BAT conducts research in a wide range of scientific fields including molecular biology, toxicology, and chemistry, driving constant innovation and learning, and establishing the company as an industry leader.

 

Visitors who take a tour of the research and development virtual experience will be able to explore:

 

Sensory Science: This specialized department helps BAT better understand consumer product experiences and decodes them into actionable insights to support product and brand development. Biotech Laboratory: BAT scientists utilize their specialized knowledge in whole-genome sequencing, metabolomics, and computational biology to provide enhanced consumer experiences. These teams also grow plants and identify sustainable compound sources. Biology Laboratory: Scientists test BAT's new category products for potential impacts on human cells compared to cigarette smoke. Battery Laboratory: The facility revolutionizes the design, development, and testing of BAT's rechargeable devices. The batteries undergo rigorous speed tests to ensure they meet high-quality standards.

 

Original link:

 

British American Tobacco (BAT) has launched a virtual research and development visitor experience, showcasing world-class science behind their next-generation reduced-risk† nicotine products.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
From Nicotine Salts to Cocrystals: China’s Shenzhen Huabao institute explores a more stable form for sustained nicotine release
China-based Shenzhen Huabao Collaborative Innovation Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for a nicotine-ascorbic acid cocrystal, exploring a new solid-state form of nicotine. The patent proposes applications across e-liquids, heated tobacco sticks, oral tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff. In nicotine pouch tests disclosed in the filing, cocrystal formulations showed less than a 6% decline in nicotine content after three months of accelerated storage and a release profile combining early-stage release with sustained delivery over 60 minutes. The filing reflects exploration of nicotine forms beyond conventional nicotine base and nicotine salts.
Aug.13
 Arizona Rules Extend Across Alternative Nicotine Supply Chain, With Licensing From 2028
Arizona Rules Extend Across Alternative Nicotine Supply Chain, With Licensing From 2028
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed HB 4001, bringing alternative nicotine products under a new state regulatory framework that will require maker and distributor licensing from 2028 and ban packaging designs that could appeal to minors.
Regulations
Jun.23
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30
Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Product | PMI Launches Airport-Exclusive IQOS Skylens Limited Edition, Expanding From Japan’s Narita to Travel Retail Markets in 13 Countries Summary
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced the airport-exclusive limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Skylens, the company’s first device created specifically for airport travel retail. Inspired by the world of flight and finished in metallic blue, Skylens debuted at Narita International Airport in Japan before expanding into selected airport duty-free and travel-retail channels across 13 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The product retains the existing IQOS ILUMA i PRIME platform, with differentiation centered on airport exclusivity, design and travel-retail execution rather than a new heating architecture.
PMI
Aug.19