2006-07-24
Author: Dustin Lynes
A lemon flavored nicotine beverage could soon be on Canadian shelves.  Health Canada is currently reviewing Nic Lite, a water based drink which contains four milligrams of nicotine, the equivalent of two cigarettes.  Shawn Bugden is the Central RHA's Regional Director of Pharmacy, he feels the product will simply take too long to get the nicotine in to the system due to the fact it's taken orally.  He believes smokers will still be more receptive to traditional smoking cessation products such as the patch or nicotine gum as they absorb the drug in to the body faster. 
Although Bugden anticipates few health problems with the drink, he says side affects will likely include stomach upset and other gastrointestinal problems.