Share

Anti-smoking vaccine promising

An anti-smoking vaccine that eliminates smokers' addictive nicotine buzz shows promise, according to a study presented at an American Heart Association conference.

The US study of 301 long-time smokers found that about 15 percent of those who received NicVAX stopped smoking after one year, compared to about six percent of volunteers who received a placebo.

The results are comparable to some currently available smoking-cessation aids. But the vaccine - designed to prevent nicotine from reaching the brain - takes a different approach than gums, lozenges, patches, and nasal sprays designed to help smokers quit.

"It clearly shows promise," and warrants further study, said Dr Frank Vocci, director of medications development at the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, which has helped fund the vaccine's development, the AP reported.

Some experts were unimpressed with the study results.

"I'm a little underwhelmed," Dr Timothy Gardner, an AHA spokesman and cardiologist at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware, told the AP. " I would think we could expect better," he said. – (HealthDayNews)

Read more:
Quit smoking by phone
A diet to quit smoking?

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE