Polish MEP speaks out for non-human animals caught up in tobacco tests

The European Commission has been asked how it can be in favor of maintaining cooperation between the EU and tobacco companies when the latter seem to be indifferent to the fate of animals.

The animals in this instance are non-human animals, particularly the rats, monkeys and dogs that mostly are used in testing tobacco products and the smoke produced by them.

In a preamble to three written questions to the commission, Polish member of the European Parliament Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa said that whereas tests involving exposing animals to tobacco smoke “for many years under atrocious conditions” were prohibited in the EU, there were no such restrictions in respect of tobacco products imported into the EU by “the well-known manufacturers which carry out these tests.”

The MEP said there was no point in carrying out research in this way because it had already been proved beyond doubt that smoking was harmful.

In addition, he said, non-human animals reacted differently than did humans to toxins, and, in any case, laboratory animals were not exposed to tobacco smoke in the same way as people were exposed to it.

In all, he asked three questions:

1. How does the commission intend to promote EU practices outside its borders in such a way as to influence the actions of tobacco groups and producers?

2. Does the commission intend to block imports of tobacco products tested on animals?

3. How can the commission argue in favour of maintaining the European Union’s cooperation with tobacco companies when the above proves them to be indifferent to the fate of animals?