Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, is utterly shocked by a new study that indicates nicotine could help prevent infection and serious illness from coronavirus.

A recent French study has indicated that nicotine is helpful in guarding against coronavirus, functioning as an anti-inflammatory agent that kills the virus.

Nicotine is a stimulant and highly addictive ingredient in tobacco and used by smoking manufacturing companies.

Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', the seasoned Journalist was amazed to find out smoking "tawa" helps in both prevention and recovery against the current pandemic.

''It blew my mind. It blew my mind completely. When the disease started, we were told that if you smoke, the likelihood to contract the disease is very strong and your recovery is not as good as the non-smokers and so on...Just last week, according to a French scientist's research, they have discovered that nicotine is good against COVID-19 meaning smoking tawa (tobacco) is helpful. So, how do you deal with this situation because the earlier protocol was that smokers should stop smoking. French scientists are on the otherhand saying smoking helps because the nicotine is good'', he said.

Although nicotine may help in fighting the virus, doctors have cautioned that it is not a licence to pick up a smoking habit.