[MAIL] The maker of Benson & Hedges and Lucky Strike cigarettes claims it has developed a coronavirus vaccine made from tobacco plants. British American Tobacco (BAT) said it can manufacture up to three million doses a week starting in June if it gets support from the UK Government.
The unproven vaccine is currently being tested on animals. But BAT is calling on Whitehall to fast-track the vaccine through rigorous human trials which could otherwise take the best part of a year and make the June date impossible.
BAT said it had pivoted its vast resources - the company is worth £65.5billion - to fighting the pandemic.
The London-headquartered firm added that it would sell the tests to the Government 'at cost', meaning without making any profit.
Tobacco firms are currently barred from doing deals with governments under World Health Organisation rules, but BAT said it planned to contact the WHO.
The WHO and what army would stop this? What a bunch of pretentious twats
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