Lorillard Tobacco Company Statement Regarding FDA Tobacco Panel Public Meeting

GREENSBORO, N.C., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lorillard Tobacco Company (NYSE: LO) today issued the following statement regarding the second public meeting of the Food and Drug Administration's Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC), which will be held July 15 and July 16 in Gaithersburg, Md.  This statement can be attributed to Dr. William R. True, senior Vice president, research and development.

"After its first meeting, the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) asked Lorillard and other tobacco manufacturers to share their expertise and research on a number of issues related to the use of menthol in cigarettes. Lorillard has submitted extensive comments containing scientific and technical information in response to this request for the TPSAC's consideration.  Lorillard and the other tobacco manufacturers will present summaries of this information at the meetings this week."

"We look forward to TPSAC's examination of the scientific data on menthol. TPSAC should ground its principles and analysis in sound science.  As a scientific advisory committee, TPSAC has the responsibility of adopting a sound, objective and transparent approach to the review of such information that should include, among other factors, consideration of all peer-reviewed studies and underlying data."

"An objective analysis of the science surrounding menthol shows that menthol does not increase the health risks of cigarette smoking and that menthol cigarettes do not play a unique role in starting smoking, stopping smoking or in smoking dependence.  If the committee makes a recommendation that is truly based on a thorough review of all available science, then they must conclude that there is no public health rationale to support treating menthol and non-menthol cigarettes differently."

About Lorillard, Inc.

Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO) is the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Founded in 1760, Lorillard is the oldest continuously operating tobacco company in the U.S. Newport, Lorillard's flagship menthol-flavored premium cigarette brand, is the top selling menthol and second largest selling cigarette in the U.S. In addition to Newport, the Lorillard product line has five additional brand families marketed under the Kent, True, Maverick, Old Gold and Max brand names. These six brands include 41 different product offerings which vary in price, taste, flavor, length and packaging. Lorillard maintains its headquarters and manufactures all of its products in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Reform Act. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "may," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions.  In addition, any statement that may be provided by management concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects and possible actions by Lorillard, Inc. are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Reform Act.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Information describing factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is available in Lorillard, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are available from the SEC over the Internet or in hard copy, and are available on our website at www.lorillard.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the time they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

SOURCE Lorillard, Inc.