Two-in-one pill tackles smoking and obesity

A NEW super pill which helps people quit smoking while losing up to 20 lbs a year could be the answer for millions of addicts who have tried to kick the habit, but piled on the pounds.

The pill, which works by suppressing cravings, doubled the chances of quitting cigarettes and led to a "spectacular drop in waistlines" according to US research.

The drug, called Rimonabant, offers new hope in tackling smoking and obesity.

Scientists at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine gave 787 smokers a 20mg daily dosage, finding it doubled their chances of quitting within four weeks.

That was as effective as nicotine-replacement patches and gums.

But while the smokers' chances of quitting increased, the vast majority did not experience the weight gain often associated with kicking the habit.

Study leader Dr Robert Anthenelli said: "We saw an 84% reduction in post-cessation weight gain in the 20mg. That's a pretty high number."

In a simultaneous study at Laval Hospital Centre in Quebec City, more than 1,000 patients who took the drug shed 20lbs over a year.

"We saw this spectacular drop in waistlines and changes in many other risk factors that are beyond what you would ordinarily expect," said Jean-Pierre Despres, of the hospital's Heart Institute.

Speaking at the American College of Cardiology meeting, in New Orleans, he said the drug cut levels of blood fats and LDL, or "bad cholesterol".

It was also found to protect against diabetes and heart disease and raised levels of HDL, or "good cholesterol", which protects the heart.

The wonder drug suppresses cravings to smoke and over-eat by acting on the body's endocannabinoid system.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in 2000 poor diet, including obesity and physical inactivity, caused 400,000 deaths in the US more than 16% of all deaths, making it the second-biggest killer.

In the same year smoking killed 435,000.