While searching the FDA site for nicotine references, I came across a nicotine vaccine, that's right... a vaccine..NicVAX.
NicVAX - Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine to prevent and treat nicotine addiction
NicVAX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's not on the market yet, but it's almost through the trials and is expected to be out in the next year or so. Through initial studies, it's believed to double the chances of quitting smoking by blocking the nicotine from the brain.
As if we don't feel alienated enough, we're now going to need a vaccine. This amplifies my thought that government is trying to phase out nicotine addiction for good.
According to THIS article from late 2008 the President of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals says:
The government already believes that nicotine addiction is a disease, so I guess this disease that deserves a vaccine. Personally, I think that they just don't know how else to deal with cigarette addiction and the billions it's costing the government each year in healthcare costs, so they're footing the bill to nicotine regardless of the many chemicals tobacco companies have introduced to cigarettes to make them addictive and most importantly..unhelathy.
Where do we draw the line? What about all the studies that show that nicotine is no more harmful than caffeine?
NicVAX - Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine to prevent and treat nicotine addiction
NicVAX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It's not on the market yet, but it's almost through the trials and is expected to be out in the next year or so. Through initial studies, it's believed to double the chances of quitting smoking by blocking the nicotine from the brain.
As if we don't feel alienated enough, we're now going to need a vaccine. This amplifies my thought that government is trying to phase out nicotine addiction for good.
According to THIS article from late 2008 the President of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals says:
We are excited that these initial results strongly support our hypothesis that production of anti-nicotine antibodies can be accelerated and elevated with this revised regimen," stated Dr. Raafat Fahim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. "The Phase 2b proof-of-concept trial results, completed in November 2007, demonstrated a clear and positive correlation between antibody levels and the ability of patients to quit smoking and remain abstinent. We believe that significantly enhancing the antibody levels in the majority of immunized subjects would increase the likelihood of success in the upcoming pivotal studies. The final results of the current immunogenicity study will provide critically important information that will be incorporated into the design of the Phase 3 clinical trials. Phase 3 is on track to be initiated before the end of this year."
The government already believes that nicotine addiction is a disease, so I guess this disease that deserves a vaccine. Personally, I think that they just don't know how else to deal with cigarette addiction and the billions it's costing the government each year in healthcare costs, so they're footing the bill to nicotine regardless of the many chemicals tobacco companies have introduced to cigarettes to make them addictive and most importantly..unhelathy.
Where do we draw the line? What about all the studies that show that nicotine is no more harmful than caffeine?