SWEETER WAY TO GIVE UP SMOKING FOUND BY SCIENTISTS

DEVELOPING a sweet tooth may be the key to quitting smoking, according
to the latest research.

Scientists have claimed that people who chew glucose tables when they
experience a craving for nicotine may have more chance of kicking the
habit than other smokers.

A pilot study has found that volunteers given up to 14 glucose
tablets a day had stronger willpower than those taking placebos when
it came to giving up the weed.

Initial results have been so promising that academics now plan to put
1,000 nicotine addicts through their paces to test the theory further.

The research is being carried out by Professor Robert West, of St
George's Hospital Medical School, in London, and Dr Peter Hajek, of
the Royal London Medical School.

During the three-year trial, volunteers will be divided into two
groups. One group will be given a supply of flavoured glucose tablets,
while the other group will be given tablets identical in appearance
and taste, but containing only an artificial sweetener.

Professor West said many people who smoked described the craving as a
"gut feeling" similar to hunger. He explained because glucose entered
the blood stream very quickly and satisfied hunger it also dampened
the desire to smoke.

Those taking part will also attend group sessions to encourage and
support them for the first four weeks after they have given up smoking.

He believes between 15 to 18 per cent of the people taking glucose
will be still off cigarettes after a year, while only eight to ten per
cent of those taking the placebo will have kicked the habit.

Professor West said: "From our previous work, we predict that the
treatment will be about as effective as nicotine replacement. The
effectiveness of the treatment may seem low, but the cost is very little.

"Every smoker who gives up gains four years of life on average. If
this treatment works as well as we expect, then that would make it one
of the most cost-effective lifesaving interventions medical science
has to offer."

Professor West said the glucose treatment should not be unduly
damaging to oral hygiene, as long as people brushed their teeth
properly. And he said participants should not put on weight either.
"The great attraction if it does work is that it is so cheap. Glucose
is a food, so you do not have any problems with regulation or side
effects.

Professor West added he did not smoke:"I used to smoke but I had
probably one of the best treatments, which was a girlfriend who did
not like it."

News of the research was welcomed by health campaigners in Scotland.
Edinburgh-based Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said it was vital
to find safe means to help people break the habit.

Wendy Ugolini, a spokeswoman, said: "We would welcome any initiative
that looks at further ways of helping people quit. Nicotine is an
extremely addictive drug, which was not recognised for a long tine in
Scotland."

The Cancer Research Campaign Scotland also welcomed the research. A
spokeswoman said: "This is a very interesting study. We have tried to
prevent people from starting to smoke, but it is clear we have to give
more attention to helping people to quit. With this research we will
hopefully find better ways to help people."