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Dr. Kim Mulvihill ReportingDoctors across the country are testing out a new treatment they hope will help smokers kick the habit. It's a vaccine called Nicvax, and while the vaccine is not yet FDA approved, researchers say preliminary studies of the shot show that it's safe and effective.
"I've tried the patch, I've tried cold turkey, and although I have lasted as a non-smoker for months at a time, very often I find myself going back to cigarettes."
Dr. Nancy Rigotti, Massachusetts General Hospital: "The purpose of our study is to figure out whether this will help people quit smoking, also to make sure that it's safe to use."
Doctor Nancy Rigotti says the shot works by blocking nicotine from getting to your brain.
Dr. Nancy Rigotti, Massachusetts General Hospital: "For smoking to be rewarding, nicotine has to get into your brain. The way the vaccine works is it makes your body make antibodies so that when you smoke, these antibodies soak up the nicotine and prevent it from getting into your brain."
In a way, it makes you immune to the chemical.
Dr. Nancy Rigotti: "So if you smoke after you've had the vaccine, you won't get the reward that you get from smoking. And so after a while there's no point in smoking anymore."
The placebo controlled trial will last a year. So, will smokers line up?
"I would try anything, I really want to quit so bad, but it's always too hard for me."
"As long as it's safe I would definitely do it."
Everyone in the study will also receive smoking cessation counseling.
