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Good news for those who have made a million attempts to kick the butt, but all in vain. Researchers claim that an injection of genes can make antibodies against nicotine and could help people quit smoking.

Apparently, only one dose of an injection could not only protect people from nicotine cravings for a life-time, it may also be used to vaccinate children and prevent them from ever getting into the habit.

The research has so far only been conducted on mice but the test on human beings could start in less than 2 years.

The 'genetic vaccine' apparently has antibodies that negate the effect of nicotine even before it reaches the brain, preventing it from stimulating the pleasurable feelings which are basically the cause behind addiction.

It basically works on the theory that if smokers do not find cigarettes effective, they will be able to quit easily.

The jab is being developed at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York tricks the liver into continuously making antibodies, ensuring there are always some in the blood to fight nicotine, reports Mail Online.

During the experiment on mice, they were given nicotine and it emerged that 85 % of the nicotine did not even reach the brain due to the antibodies. Also, there was no alteration seen in their behavior, blood pressure or heart rate, a report in the journal Science Translational Medicine said.

"This novel vaccine may offer a much-needed solution," researcher Dr Ronald Crystal said.

There need to be further studies conducted before the jab is launched in to the market, and that would mean that the product is at least 5 years away from reaching people.

If it is approved, then it could also be made a part of vaccination programmes in school to prevent children from ever starting to smoke, said Dr Crystal.

"Nicotine addiction via smoking is harmful, but is it ethical to produce a major and enduring change in someone's body to prevent it when other, less major, types of treatment are feasible?" Prof Anthony Dayan, a retired toxicologist questions, according to the report.

About 20 percent of adult Americans smoke, and while it is the 4,000 chemicals within the burning cigarette that causes the health problems associated with smoking -- diseases that lead to one out of every five deaths in the U.S. -- it is the nicotine within the tobacco that keeps the smoker hooked, reported healthnewstrack.com.