Philip Morris to Test Smokeless System

Philip Morris is offering smokers a chance to take part in a test of a new smokeless tobacco system designed to reduce the odor and secondhand smoke of cigarettes. The low-tar cigarettes and the pager-sized device, which will envelop the cigarette as it is smoked, will be distributed to about 100 selected consumers in the U.S. and Japan in about a month, the company said. The company plans to decide after the preliminary test whether to test-market its electronically controlled Accord lighter. “Many smokers have told us they would like to have a cigarette which offers less ambient smoke, less lingering odor and less ashtray mess,” said Philip Morris USA executive John R. Nelson. Nelson referred to surveys showing people want to cut back on smoking in the home or car because their spouses don’t like it. Ron Todd, director of tobacco control with the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, said the tobacco industry has acknowledged that people are becoming less tolerant of cigarette smoke. Philip Morris shares fell 69 cents to close at $41.06 on the NYSE.