Nicotine vaccine may stub out smoking

THE world’s 1.3 billion smokers could eventually have a powerful new way to kick the habit — a vaccine against nicotine.

Nearly 60% of smokers who achieved high levels of antibodies against nicotine after receiving the vaccine stopped smoking for at least six months, according to a study at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida.

According to Dr Jacques Cornuz, who led the study, “The data suggests that antibodies against nicotine are effective in helping people quit smoking.”

About a third of those who received the vaccine achieved the highest levels of antibodies. But before the vaccine is put through larger clinical trials, Dr Cornuz said, it will have to find ways “to intensify the immunisation scheme” so that more people achieve the necessary antibody levels.

He estimated it would be as long as three years before new trials could begin.

Smoking is thought to be the cause of 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of deaths from lung cancer.