France has banned online sales of nicotine substitutes after a study showed smokers are less likely to be admitted for COVID-19

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• France has banned online sales of nicotine substitutes, and limited sales in pharmacies.
• The idea is to prevent a run on nicotine replacements, after a widely reported study from a Paris hospital found smokers were less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
• The theory is that nicotine, which attaches to cell receptors, blocks the virus from entering those cells.
• French researchers plan to test nicotine patches on patients and health workers.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

France on Friday banned online sales of nicotine replacements — such as nicotine gum and patches — after a widely reported Paris study found smokers were less likely to admitted to hospital for COVID-19.

In a draft legal text published earlier this week, the government warned there could be a run on nicotine replacements thanks to the study. Pharmacies dispensing treatments for tobacco addiction must limit the amount they issue to an individual patient to a single month's supply.

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