Major Tobacco Company Bans Animal Testing, Others Urged To Follow

The third-largest cigarette manufacturer in the U.S. announced that it will end inhumane testing on animals, after pressure from animals rights' groups. Lorillard Inc., maker of Newport brand cigarettes, confirmed the ban on animal testing, which involves forcing animals to inhale cigarette smoke, eat tobacco and have cigarette tar painted on their skin, on their website this week.

It is the policy of Lorillard, Inc. not to conduct or commission research involving animals and will in good faith otherwise not use animals unless necessary to meet regulatory requirements. In order to eliminate animal testing, Lorillard R&D will use scientifically accepted or validated alternative test methods and technologies that avoid the use of live animals. Such methods and tests may include in vitro cell culture tests, advanced chemistry tests and computer modeling programs.

The move was lauded by animal advocates, who have pushed for it for years.

"Lorillard's progressive new policy banning tests on animals establishes it as an industry leader that is embracing modern science instead of traditional animal testing," said PETA Director Justin Goodman in a release.

Now, PETA is looking to other tobacco companies to follow Lorillard's lead.

PETA also filed resolutions this winter with R.J. Reynolds, Philip Morris International, and Altria (the parent company of Philip Morris USA), which have conducted tests in recent years... These tests have continued, despite not being required by federal regulations, their inapplicability to human smokers, and the existence of superior non-animal testing methods.