Another Round? Have Another Puff

Having a cigarette while drinking may reduce the effects of the alcohol, scientists suggested. The BBC reported this week that researchers in Texas tested the alcohol blood level in rats after feeding them varying doses of nicotine and alcohol. They found lower alcohol levels in "smoking" rats than in the "non-smoking" rats.

Writing in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, the scientists theorized that nicotine delays the movement of alcohol into the intestines - a major site for the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

The researchers cautioned that the tests have only been carried out on rats so far. 'Course tests on rats doesn't stop the government from banning stuff so this must be serious stuff.