Nicotine patches could be tested on patients and frontline workers after a study suggests that smokers could be less likely to catch coronavirus.
Researchers in France says a substance in tobacco - which they believe could be nicotine - may prevent people who smoke cigarettes from catching the deadly virus.
However, they are keen to stress that starting smoking is not a good idea to prevent infection - due to overwhelming health risks associated with tobacco use.
Scientists are now questioning whether nicotine could stop the virus from infecting cells or lessen the effects it has on the immune system.