Lucky Strike's distinctive, red bull's-eye logo would be adapted in several ways as the stores' central theme. Named Trans-Urban Trading Co., the stores would feature such merchandise as old-fashioned radios, clothing and high-tech gadgets.

"Many of the items on sale will be typical American products," said Andrew George-Perutz, a senior manager at BAT's licensing unit. Among the items under consideration are leather jackets, 1950s-style food mixers and food items, such as Hershey bars and maple syrup.

For BAT, the stores are another way to promote the Lucky Strike brand in non-tobacco categories, something critics oppose. "There's no protection for children and teens with this kind of brand stretching, whether it's a cafe or a store," said Derek Yach, program director for the World Health Organization's Tobacco-Free Initiative. "This must be seen for what it is: an attempt to maintain marketing of their primary product, which is cigarettes."

The first stores are expected to open late next year in Europe.

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