Could Nicotine Vaccine Stop Teens From Smoking?
Researchers Begin Studies On Volunteers
POSTED: 7:51 a.m. CDT September 6, 2002
UPDATED: 10:26 a.m. CDT September 6, 2002
CHICAGO -- 
Stephanie Williams Baldwin, who has smoked for more than 30 years, worries that she'll pass her habit down to her 12-year-old daughter.
Work Done On Nicotine Vaccine
"I wish every day that I could stop," Baldwin said. "I am very fearful that my daughter may become a smoker."
Now, researchers think they may have created a preventive tool -- a vaccine that undermines the addiction to nicotine. The shots are being tested right now. If approved, the nicotine vaccine would be marketed for all ages.
One question that remains is: can a nicotine vaccine prevent kids from becoming life-long smokers, or will it simply create a false sense of security?
Baldwin's daughter, Jasmine, said that regardless of the physical effects of the vaccine, it won't guard against peer pressure.
"A lot of people my age end up smoking because they think it's cool, and they think everybody is smoking, even though it is not cool," Jasmine, said. "It hurts you and other people."
But makers of the nicotine vaccine say the shot not only can help smokers quit, but it can also keep teenagers from ever getting hooked in the first place.
"This is a huge, huge opportunity to make an impact on people's lives that have been centered around nicotine addiction," said David Gury, manufacturer of Nic-Vax. "It has the opportunity to prevent addiction. When it's no longer cool to smoke, you can stop."
Here's how the vaccine purports to work:
When a person smokes, nicotine goes straight to the brain, causing a high that keeps you coming back for more. The vaccine creates antibodies. Acting like a sponge, they soak up the nicotine before it ever gets to your brain.
"You don't get that feel-goodness that nicotine provides you when it gets into the brain," said Gury. "So if you stop that process, it should help you stop smoking."
Experts at the Centers for Disease Control say the idea of a nicotine vaccine is interesting, but they're concerned it could send kids the wrong message -- that as long as you don't get addicted, it's OK to smoke. Even if the vaccine does help control addiction, it does not shield kids from the dangerous effects of smoking.
"They're being exposed to high levels of carcinogens," said CDC doctor Terry Pechacek. "This is a really unnecessary exposure to a large number of people to very dangerous chemicals."
The vaccine is in its first stage of study -- being tested for safety. It's being tried only on a small group of volunteers in Pennsylvania.
The manufacturer says it may be ready to move into the next phase of testing with a large group of volunteers by the start of next year.
Stephanie Williams Baldwin, who has smoked for more than 30 years, worries that she'll pass her habit down to her 12-year-old daughter.
Work Done On Nicotine Vaccine
"I wish every day that I could stop," Baldwin said. "I am very fearful that my daughter may become a smoker."
Now, researchers think they may have created a preventive tool -- a vaccine that undermines the addiction to nicotine. The shots are being tested right now. If approved, the nicotine vaccine would be marketed for all ages.
One question that remains is: can a nicotine vaccine prevent kids from becoming life-long smokers, or will it simply create a false sense of security?
Baldwin's daughter, Jasmine, said that regardless of the physical effects of the vaccine, it won't guard against peer pressure.
"A lot of people my age end up smoking because they think it's cool, and they think everybody is smoking, even though it is not cool," Jasmine, said. "It hurts you and other people."
But makers of the nicotine vaccine say the shot not only can help smokers quit, but it can also keep teenagers from ever getting hooked in the first place.
"This is a huge, huge opportunity to make an impact on people's lives that have been centered around nicotine addiction," said David Gury, manufacturer of Nic-Vax. "It has the opportunity to prevent addiction. When it's no longer cool to smoke, you can stop."
Here's how the vaccine purports to work:
When a person smokes, nicotine goes straight to the brain, causing a high that keeps you coming back for more. The vaccine creates antibodies. Acting like a sponge, they soak up the nicotine before it ever gets to your brain.
"You don't get that feel-goodness that nicotine provides you when it gets into the brain," said Gury. "So if you stop that process, it should help you stop smoking."
Experts at the Centers for Disease Control say the idea of a nicotine vaccine is interesting, but they're concerned it could send kids the wrong message -- that as long as you don't get addicted, it's OK to smoke. Even if the vaccine does help control addiction, it does not shield kids from the dangerous effects of smoking.
"They're being exposed to high levels of carcinogens," said CDC doctor Terry Pechacek. "This is a really unnecessary exposure to a large number of people to very dangerous chemicals."
The vaccine is in its first stage of study -- being tested for safety. It's being tried only on a small group of volunteers in Pennsylvania.
The manufacturer says it may be ready to move into the next phase of testing with a large group of volunteers by the start of next year.
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