A new drink is to mimic the effects of nicotine.

Smokers frustrated with the smoking ban are to get some light relief in the form of Liquid Smoking, a drink containing ingredients designed to mimic the drug nicotine.

Manufactured by Dutch company United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, Liquid Smoking has already proved hugely popular in Holland where it has been on sale for a year.

The drink is created using a mixture of roots from South African plants and is said to provide a slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation – similar to the effects of nicotine.

There currently is no age restriction on the product, however United Drinks recommends it isn’t drunk by anyone under the age of 15. It is expected to be on sale by Christmas for around £1.50 per can.

United Drinks Chief Executive, Martin Hartman, said: “The product we have developed has got similar properties to nicotine, so we are trying to help people out who are affected by the ban on nicotine. People might use this instead of a cigarette or tobacco to help the cravings.

“It will take the edge off of a need for nicotine for between one to four hours. I think it will help people who feel the need for nicotine in bars, restaurants, long-haul flights and on the train.”

Despite its aim of discouraging smoking, the drink has been criticised by anti-smoking groups – mainly for its packaging which is red and white to look like a cigarette packet.

Deborah Arnott, from Action on Smoking and Health, commented: “Although we welcome anything which is a genuine alternative [to nicotine], many of these are totally unregulated and we only have the manufacturer’s word about what they contain.

“We would be concerned about any health claims that are unsubstantiated, and at this stage we wouldn’t encourage people to buy them… Our concern would be if the packaging led to the promotion of cigarettes.”

By Natasha Piscitelli