Cigarette drink aims to beat smoking ban

A drink which aims to deliver the same fix as cigarettes is being launched in Britain to help smokers beat the cigarette ban in pubs. The drink, called Liquid Smoking, has already proved a hit in the Netherlands where it has been on sale for a year.

Dutch suppliers United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, hopes the drink will be on sale here before Christmas as they aim to target the opposite end of the energy drinks market.

The manufacturers say it does not contain the drug nicotine, but rather a mix of roots from South African plants which is said to give "a slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation." It has less than 21 calories per 275ml can and would cost £1.50 in the shops. Although there will be no lower age limit to buy it, the makers believe it should not be drunk by anyone under 15.



United Drinks Chief Executive Martin Hartman said: "The product we have developed has got similar properties to nicotine, so we are trying to help people out who are affected by the ban on nicotine People might use this instead of a cigarette or tobacco to help the cravings. He added: "It will take the edge off of a need for nicotine for between one to four hours.

"I think it will help people who feel the need for nicotine in bars, restaurants, long-haul flights and on the train."

Anti-smoking groups have already expressed their concern however. Amanda Sanford, from Action on Smoking and Health said: "Although we welcome anything which is a genuine alternative [to nicotine], many of these are totally unregulated and we only have the manufacturer's word about what they contain. We would be concerned about any health claims that are unsubstantiated, and at this stage we wouldn't encourage people to buy them."