Cavity ring-down (CRD) techniques were used to study the kinetics of the reaction of Br atoms with ozone in 1-205 Torr of either N2 or O2, diluent at 298 K. By monitoring the rate of formation of BrO radicals, a value of k(Br+O3) = (1.2±0.1)×10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 was established that was independent of the nature and pressure of diluent gas. The rate of relaxation of vibrationally excited BrO radicals by collisions with N2 and O2 was measured; k(BrO(v)+O2&rarrBrO(v-1)+O2) = (5.7±0.3)×10-13 and k(BrO(v)+N2&rarrBrO(v-1)+N2) = (1.5±0.2)×10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The increased efficiency of O2 compared with N2 as a relaxing agent for vibrationally excited BrO radicals is ascribed to the formation of a transient BrO-O2 complex.