Trying to quit smoking and finding it an uphill task? Soon it won’t be. The prospect of vaccination against nicotine addiction is a very real possibility in the not-too-distant future. This would come as a huge boon to thousands of cigarette smokers who are trying desperately to kick the habit, but can’t.
City experts suggest that till such time as the panacea reaches the market, smokers who want to “kick the butt” could use alternative medications like Vernicline. The nicotine addiction vaccination will reduce nicotine in the blood as soon as it is released and stop the smoker from puffing away. Ongoing research abroad on the vaccine indicates that the vaccine will produce antibodies to destroy nicotine.
Dr T. Subramanyeshwar Rao, director and chief surgical oncologist, Basava-tarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, says he is hoping the vaccine will be available soon. Dr Rao explained: “It has to obtain the US FDA clearance and then be released in the market, so it might take a while.” Nicotine, the main addictive agent in tobacco, is released into the human system upon the inhalation of tobacco smoke and activates nicotine receptors that heighten brain activity. Several smoking cessation techniques are generally employed for de-addiction like nicotine patches and nicotine gum.
Dr P.N.S. Reddy, superintendent of the Government General and Chest Hospital, says the vaccine will take some time to be released. But he recommends alternative methods until the vaccine is ready. “Vaccine or not, the progress of de-addiction also depends a lot on family counseling and support.
“Meanwhile, Vernicline has been very effective in treating smokers. In this month alone I have treated about 24 smokers, including a lot of VIPs, with Verni-cline and only one of them has gone back to smoking.” Dr Reddy explains that the drug works by blocking nicotine receptors and says it is doing wonders for smokers.