Scientist: lab animals don't get tumors from cigarette smoke

Tuesday, April 13, 1999

By TRACY FIELDS, Associated Press

MIAMI - A number of substances can be used to produce tumors in laboratory animals but cigarette smoke isn't one of them, a scientist testified Monday on behalf of tobacco companies fighting a class-action lawsuit.

Richard Thomas said that diesel exhaust, some components of air pollution and certain heavy metals can induce growths in animal experiments, but cigarette smoke has not so far, and scientists don't know why.

"That's still an area of a lot of research," he said.

Thomas, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, has done consulting work for tobacco companies since 1985. He told jurors hearing the first class-action lawsuit by smokers to reach trial about attempts to produce tumors in dogs.

Researchers pumped smoke into the animals' lungs through tubes in their throats, but no tumors resulted, he said.

"I guess the bottom line is it didn't represent human inhalation," he said.

Thomas was hired by R.J. Reynolds to testify that there had been a debate among scientists about whether cigarette smoking causes diseases. The estimated half-million Floridians in the plaintiff class blame the habit for illnesses including cancer and emphysema.

Plaintiffs' attorney Stanley Rosenblatt asked if his assignment had been simply to go through the literature on smoking and health and pick out material that would support his clients' case. The defendants say there is no scientific proof smoking causes cancer and other diseases.

In addition to Reynolds, the defendants are cigarette makers Philip Morris, Brown & Williamson, Lorillard, and Liggett Group, as well as the Council for Tobacco Research and the Tobacco Institute.

Feedback Comments? Questions? Suggestions? E-mail the website crew at info@naplesnews.com. You can also use our directory to e-mail our staff directly. Or, express your opinion in a letter to the editor.

Shop:
Online for cool stuff from Naples Daily News.

Advertise...
...on the Internet! Find out our rates and details.

Subscribe:
Get the print edition of the Daily News delivered to your door.

Internet Access
Choose from 3 monthly rate plans.