France Restricts Nicotine Sales After News of Suspended Clinical Trials
France temporarily restricted sales of nicotine replacement products after news about suspended clinical trials, but the limits do not apply to nicotine vaping products or tobacco.
Following news of suspended clinical trials to determine whether nicotine helps prevent coronavirus infection or treat COVID-19 complications, the French government has temporarily restricted the sale of nicotine replacement products. The temporary restrictions do not affect consumer products such as nicotine vapes or tobacco products.<\/span><\/div>
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The government stated that this restriction aims to prevent "overconsumption" inspired by the announcement that nicotine may be a promising drug for preventing COVID and to ensure "a continuous and appropriate supply for those needing smoking cessation treatment."<\/span><\/div>
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The emergency order limits the sale of products such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, and inhalers to a one-month supply per person and prohibits online sales. Customers will need to provide their personal information to pharmacies to track sales. The order is effective until May 11, when some restrictions will be eased.<\/span><\/div>
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If proven beneficial, be prepared for millions to walk around with nicotine patches.<\/span><\/div>
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Johnson & Johnson will make some 💵💵💵https : //t.co/0tAfZskAg4<\/span><\/div>
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-Matt Culley (@MattFromSMM) April 24, 2020<\/span><\/div>
This clinical trial will soon begin at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, following a study that showed that French smokers have a much lower rate of infection with this virus compared to the general population. French data confirms earlier findings from China and the United States. The trial will use nicotine patches that release nicotine very slowly and do not create dependence or addiction in non-nicotine users.<\/span><\/div>
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The World Health Organization stated on Friday that French data is "not consistent with what we see in other countries," but this is incorrect. Results have consistently shown that smokers are hospitalized for this virus at a much lower rate than non-smokers.<\/span><\/div>
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Scientists, including Greek cardiologist and vaping researcher Konstantinos Farsalinos, believe that nicotine occupies certain receptors in cells that are the main targets for the coronavirus to enter the human body, blocking the virus's entry. If this benefit is proven, nicotine could become a stopgap until a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine is available.<\/span><\/div>
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Nicotine has many benefits that medical institutions often overlook. It is a reliable cognitive enhancer that improves short-term memory and reaction time and is known to prevent Parkinson's disease. Vanderbilt University researcher Paul Newhouse is currently leading a large multi-institutional study on nicotine to treat cognitive impairments leading to Alzheimer's disease.<\/span><\/div>
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