Lorillard seeks to end animal testing

Lorillard is banning all animal testing unless it is necessary to meet future regulatory requirements.

The introduction of the new policy follows several years of discussions between Lorillard and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a shareholder resolution submitted by PETA in December 2013 requesting the policy and highlighting the effectiveness of non-animal testing methods. PETA withdrew its resolution last week after reaching the agreement with Lorillard.

Lorillard’s new policy, which was posted on its website on Friday reads, in part: “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.”

“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,” says PETA director Justin Goodman. “PETA is actively urging other tobacco companies to follow Lorillard’s lead.”

In introducing its new policy, PETA said that Lorillard had become the biggest tobacco company in the U.S. to have ended tests on animals and the second largest in the world, after Imperial Tobacco.

“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 in which animals were forced to inhale cigarette smoke, eat tobacco and have cigarette tar painted on their bare skin,” PETA added.

“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.”

There is more at PETA.org.