The team have developed and successfully tested (in mice) an innovative vaccine to treat nicotine addiction.
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The anti-body vaccine blocks addictive nicotine chemicals from reaching the brain, according to a statement.
In the journal Science Translational Medicine, the scientists describe how a single dose of their novel vaccine protects mice, over their lifetime, against nicotine addiction.
The vaccine is designed to use the animal's liver as a factory to continuously produce antibodies that gobble up nicotine the moment it enters the bloodstream, preventing the chemical from reaching the brain and even the heart.
In tests, mice that were given both both a vaccine and nicotine appeared not to be effected by the chemical.
Scroll down to find out ways to quit smoking
However, in contrast, mice that received nicotine and were not treated with the vaccine became more "chilled out".
According to a statement, the mice relaxed, and their blood pressure and heart activity were lowered - signs that the nicotine had reached the brain and cardiovascular system.
The researchers are preparing to test the novel nicotine vaccine in rats and then in primates - steps needed before it can be tested ultimately in humans.
According to the study's lead investigator, Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman and professor of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, if successful, such a vaccine would best be used in smokers who are committed to quitting.
"They will know if they start smoking again, they will receive no pleasure from it due to the nicotine vaccine, and that can help them kick the habit," he says.
"As far as we can see, the best way to treat chronic nicotine addiction from smoking is to have these Pacman-like antibodies on patrol, clearing the blood as needed before nicotine can have any biological effect."
"Our vaccine allows the body to make its own monoclonal antibodies against nicotine, and in that way, develop a workable immunity," Dr. Crystal said.
Previously tested nicotine vaccines have failed in clinical trials because they all directly deliver nicotine antibodies, which only last a few weeks and require repeated, expensive injections, added the study's author.
Five Ways To Quit Smoking
Five Ways To Quit Smoking (01 of06)
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Battle the addiction with these top tips by hypnotherapist, Elle Dormer. (credit:Alamy)
Close Your Eyes(02 of06)
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"Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths in and out. Now build a mental picture of yourself in the future as a non smoker. "Make it real by filling in the detail - where you are, what you're doing, who you're with and how much better you look and feel. This is known as future pacing. If you can imagine yourself having achieved your goal you a mentally a step closer to it." (credit:Alamy)
Plan Your Escape(03 of06)
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"Smokers often use cigarettes as a form of escapism. To have a break away from their desk after a stressful call. Or to provide thinking time when they are procrastinating. "Go for a brisk walk instead. Or to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Any simple, familiar task that we can do without much thought allows us to simultaneously access our unconscious or 'zone out' which can be both relaxing and enable greater creative thought." (credit:Alamy)
Imagine Other People's Disappointment(04 of06)
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"Make a list of all the people (alive or dead) in your life who care for you - or have cared for you, like your friends, partner, parents or children. Then close your eyes and imagine them all together gathered in a room. "You are standing before them with a large beautifully gift wrapped box. This present represents you quitting smoking. Explain this to them in your mind. See or imagine their reactions. "Make them real. The relief, love, pride, appreciation. Then imagine asking for the gift back and how sad and disappointed they would be. And resolve that you cannot do this to the people you love." (credit:Alamy)
Breathe!(05 of06)
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"Cigarettes do not relax you. Nicotine is a stimulant so it is actually making you edgier and more stressed by elevating your heart rate and releasing stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol into your blood stream. "Try an experiment: replace one of your regular cigarettes of the day with the following pattern of breathing. Breathe in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 8. Do this 10 x, consciously relaxing your body on every out breath. "This will physiologically de-stress you by slowing your heart rate and releasing endorphins. And prove to you you can truly relax yourself without a cigarette. (credit:Alamy)
Use Your Imagination (06 of06)
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"Take a moment somewhere quiet and close your eyes. Remember a time when you felt really confident, relaxed and in control. Take yourself back to that time, fill in the details and make it real. When you're feeling those emotions at their strongest, squeeze our thumb and forefinger together. "Clear your mind and repeat. Then practice recalling those helpful, positive emotions at points during the day by squeezing your thumb and forefinger together. The physical trigger should help to access those beneficial feelings that will help at moments of weakness." (credit:Alamy)
Take a look at our round-up of tobacco TV advertising campaigns between 1950 to 1960.