BAT takes over Europe's largest e-cigarette retailer

British cigarette maker British American Tobacco (BAT) announced today the acquisition of Poland's CHIC Group, owner of the largest electronic cigarette retail chain in Euroe, and agreed to establish research cooperation with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, an affiliate of the Reynolds American company, Reuters news agency reports.

This is the latest move in BAT's push to expand in the fast growing e-cigarette business which, as this world's second largest cigarette manufacturer claims, has a huge potential.

BAT, known for its cigarette brands Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall, is already selling a line of electronic cigarettes called Vype in the United Kingdom.

Poland's CHIC has 800 points of sale in Poland and is a leading Polish e-cigarette brand. Financial details of the acquisition agreement have not been revealed, Reuters reports.