First smokeless cigarette to go on sale - looks like stick

The world's first smoke and tobacco free cigarette is due to go on sale.

The cigarette has been cleared for commercial release and should be on sale early next year.

Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has decided the NicStic is not a medicinal product and has cleared the path for its commercial production.

Monique Helfer of Swissmedic said: 'If we had classified the NicStic as medication, the manufacturer would have had to apply to have it covered by health insurance and therefore it would have required the approval of the Federal Health Office and taken a lot longer to get to the public.'

Instead the Swiss invention aimed at smokers who enjoy smoking regardless of growing condemnation of the habit should soon be available for the same cost as normal cigarettes."

Bears a remarkable resemblance to a stick!