A smoking vaccine could be available within 3 to 5 years. Quit Smoking now with Nicocure
Results of
first major human trial of product designed to stop nicotine addiction were released today. The findings -- based on a six-month trial involving 300 heavy smokers -- are expected to help pave way for production of vaccine.
Australian doctors believe anti-nicotine vaccine, if successful, could be a wonder drug that helps finally butt out smoking in country.
More than three million Australians smoke, including about 22 per cent of Victorian men and 17 per cent of women.
The habit kills about 19,000 Australians annually -- more than 50 each day -- and costs country $21 billion every year.
Three companies have developed nicotine vaccines, but Swiss pharmaceutical company Cytos Biotechnology has been first to conduct a major trial.
The drug stimulates production of antibodies in blood that attach themselves to nicotine, creating a compound too big to enter brain and produce sensation that makes smokers crave cigarettes.
