Turkish tobacco producers are concerned over selling Samsun trademark tobacco, being produced in Armenia, to British American Tobacco (BAT). Today's issue of Zaman Turkish newspaper cites International Masis Tabak Armenian company owner Hrant Vardanian saying they sold 600 tons of tobacco stuff to BAT in 2003 and the volume of sales is planned to be increased up to 2000 tons this year. In the words of head of Turkish concern for tobacco export in the Aegean region Mahmud Ozgener, the increase of export of Armenian tobacco to the world market gives cause for serious concern. "If Armenian tobacco becomes an alternative to the Turkish one, it will have a negative impact on the economy of Turkey," he noted. Head of Sunel Turkish tobacco firm Noyan Gyurel is of the same opinion. He noted that in the prospects the Armenian assortment could pose a threat to the Turkish competitors. Tekel Bafra Yaprak Turkish company head Jafer Barlin stated that international tobacco producers intend to turn Armenia into tobacco production center after Macedonia and Romania.