French Researchers: "Nicotine Suppresses COVID-19"... Clinical Trial Planned

Hypothesis Proposed That Nicotine Prevents Coronavirus Spread
Symptom Relief and Estimated Reduction of Severe Case Risk to One-Fifth

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] French researchers are reportedly conducting clinical studies on the inhibitory effects of nicotine on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This is to verify reports that smokers exhibit fewer COVID-19 symptoms, and the researchers emphasized that this does not mean they are recommending smoking.

On the 22nd (local time), according to the British daily The Guardian, researchers at the Piti?-Salp?tri?re Hospital in Paris, France, announced that based on reports from medical institutions indicating that smokers among COVID-19 patients showed fewer symptoms and a relatively lower risk of severe infection compared to the overall average, they are pursuing clinical trials on nicotine's inhibitory effects on COVID-19. The research team plans to apply nicotine patches to frontline medical staff and patients and observe the results, and they are reportedly awaiting clinical trial approval from health authorities.

The researchers stated, "The effect of nicotine is estimated to be significant, appearing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to one-fifth in outpatients and to one-quarter in hospitalized patients, a phenomenon not seen with drugs," but emphasized, "However, this study is by no means intended to encourage smoking, which carries health risks."

Jean-Pierre Changeux, a French neurobiologist who reviewed the study, proposed the hypothesis that nicotine might block COVID-19 from reaching body cells and thus prevent its spread, and also expressed hope that it could reduce the immune system's overreaction observed in COVID-19 infection cases.

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