Switching addictions!

A German company has come up with a novel way of beating bans on smoking in pubs - put the nicotine in the beer. A new beer, known as NicoShot, is undergoing testing in Germany with hopes it can be moved toward approval in the next few months. Each beer contains three milligrams of nicotine and a 6.3% alcohol reading.

Its German maker, Nautilus, claims the beer is designed to help smokers quit the habit rather than make the drink addictive. "While NicoShot can lessen cravings, it is not a 'cure' for smoking," Nautilus said. "But it can help you make changes in your lifestyle without having to walk out of the bar for a quick smoke to deal with sudden withdrawal symptoms.
"Over time, when you are more comfortable being a non-smoker, the use of nicotine beer can be reduced and then stopped."

Hosanna, Nautilus! Smokers all over the world will be grateful. But isn't nicotine addictive? Won't stuffing nicotine down the beer drinkers' throats simply encourage a new generation of smokers to trade yellow teeth for beer bellies and bad hangovers?

German company would beg to differ. In fact, it is hoping that NicoShot will help people smoke less. "While NicoShot can lessen cravings, it is not a 'cure' for smoking," the Nautilus spokesperson said. "But it can help you make changes in your lifestyle without having to walk out of the bar for a quick smoke to deal with sudden withdrawal symptoms."

Perhaps we can ask the Dutch Wageningen university to do research on the possibility to add alcohol to Big Mac's and French fries. Again another addiction solved..