SMOKING VACCINE 'A STEP CLOSER'

Early trials of a vaccine which could help people to give up smoking are
proving promising, say scientists.

Xenova, the British-based company behind the vaccine, which may also help
cocaine addicts, started testing it two years ago.

Dr Campbell Bunce, a scientist at the company, told the British Association
science festival at Salford University that the vaccine had proved safe and
well-tolerated.

It works by stopping nicotine or cocaine from entering the brain.

Stop Cravings

As a result, these drugs are no longer able to stimulate the reward centres in
the brain that cause cravings.

The vaccine prompts the body's immune system to create antibodies which bind
nicotine or cocaine in a person's bloodstream, preventing it from travelling
into the brain.

It could be given to people who are having problems kicking their smoking or
cocaine habit.

In theory, it could also be given to young children to prevent them from taking
up these habits in the first place.

"You can imagine it being used by parents of adolescents, who might want their
children to be protected against a drug-taking habit," said Dr Bunce.

"That is something with ethical considerations that we would have to consider."

The vaccine has so far proved safe to use on both smokers and cocaine users.

Scientists are now planning to test how effective it is. Trials on cocaine
users are expected to start later this month.

However, cocaine users have reported that the immunisation reduced the sense of
euphoria they felt after taking the drug.

Relapse

Dr Bunce said he did not envisage the vaccine stamping out cravings for
cigarettes straight away. Nor would it alleviate the withdrawal symptoms
associated with giving up smoking, such as anxiety and depression.

But the vaccine could help to ensure that people who quit never take the habit
up again.

"Often an ex-smoker will relapse at a party, in a moment of weakness," said Dr
Bunce.

"Hopefully, the presence of these antibodies will reduce the hit of the
cigarette and that desire for another cigarette will be significantly blunted."

One possible concern, he said, was that people might be tempted to smoke more
to get the same "buzz" they were used to. It is not yet known whether this
could happen.

A spokesman from the anti-smoking group ASH said it would welcome the
introduction of a vaccine to help people kick the habit.

"People who try to give up smoking can find it very difficult," he told BBC
News Online.

"A vaccine could help these people or people who have consistently failed to
give up.

"But as long as it is safe, it should be seen as an extension of the existing
nicotine replacement therapies.

"We would not support vaccinating people to stop them from smoking."