Virginia: you can take in nicotine without smoking. There are various forms of smokeless tobacco, including snuff; or things like nicotine chewing gum or patches.

Joe Cremona, Chester, UK

it is very old information and only now it comes out:(

marry, london, uk

The UK pharmaceutical company Meldex International is launching (initially in Poland) a dissolve-in-the-mouth film strip that gives an instant hit of nicotine similar to a cigarette. This means it doesn't have the bad effects caused by inhalation of smoke. Perhaps this product could help here.

Baton, Nelson, New Zealand

"Non-smokers die every day...Enjoy your evening. See, I know that you entertain this eternal life fantasy because you've chosen not to smoke, but let me be the first to pop that bubble and bring you hurtling back to reality....You're dead too. .."

Bill Hicks, Heaven,

One small factual error: nicotine acts very specifically on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors not "various receptors in the brain".

Mick, Edinburgh,

i was not trying to claim that smoking was benign in any way. the article was about the potential benefits of nicotine, not the positive effects of smoking.
and will you kind of made my point with "Bear in mind that half of all smokers die of smoking related illnesses." that's half not all then!

pete woodhouse, edinburgh, scotland

Only a minority of smokers end up with cancer & many ca. patients have never smoked.How long before someone comes out and says "smoking [in moderation] is good for you"?I remember a time when a GP recommended smoking, to relieve bronchial congestion! Good for relieving constipation too!

patricia, Kent,

People may perceive that "absolutely every smoker does not end up with cancer" - for many people the vascular complications like stroke, heart attack, leg or gut ischaemia get them before cancer does. Not to mention chronic lung disease. Smoking kills; but not everyone has the insight to see this.

Scott, Glasgow,

Pete:
I think Virginia's point is quite clear.

Bear in mind that half of all smokers die of smoking related illnesses.
Put that in your pipe....etc

Will Ockendon, Wellingborough, UK

So at least you'll be able to remember how you got cancer!

Kevin Browne, Reading, Berkshire, England

My grandmother has been smoking 20-a-day for as long as I can remember (I'm now 24).
Unfortunately her own monther suffered from dementia and it seems like she is now going the same way. So based on that evidence I would say that any potential benefits would appear to be minimal.

Michael, Welwyn Garden City, UK

Long been known that Nicotine has positives - but terribly politically incorrect to mention the benefits - upsets the anti-smoking zealots.

Possibly Virginia might consider Japan - heaviest smokers and boasts the worlds longest lifespan.

Ivan, Coleraine,

Nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, that’s why smoking has neurological effect, and its been noted that smoking nicotine reduces the effect from some dementias. The problems with smoking it are the carcinogens in smoke.

James, Chelmsford, UK

absolutely correct virginia, however we're not talking absolutes here are we. absolutely every drinker does not end up with cirrhosis of the liver, and absolutely every smoker does not end up with cancer. so your point is?

pete woodhouse, edinburgh, scotland

What is the good of having a good memory but body ravaged by cancer which is no doubt caused by smoking!!

virginia, Brisbane, Australia