September 27 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to start monitoring nicotine in order to detect potential patterns of abuse.
The Montreal-based body is adding the substance to its 2012 Monitoring Program.
It emphasised, however, that it was not its intention to target smokers.
Rather it wants to monitor the effects nicotine can have on performance when taken in oral tobacco products.
The move came as WADA published its list of prohibited substances and methods for 2012, a Summer Olympic year.
The list comes into force on January 1.
As already announced, one significant change is the removal of formoterol from section 3 'Beta-2 Agonists' of the list, when taken by inhalation at therapeutic dosages (a maximum of 36 micrograms over 24 hours).
Nicotine is one of several stimulants added to the monitoring programme.
Others include the narcotics hydrocone and tramadol.
Out-of-competition use of glucocorticosteroids has also been included.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA is mandated to establish a monitoring programme regarding substances that are not on the prohibited list but which the agency wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse.
Meanwhile, six sports, including some big Olympic draws, have been removed from the list of those in which beta-blockers are prohibited.
These are: bobsleigh and skeleton, curling, modern pentathlon, motorcycling, sailing and wrestling.
Source: www.insidethegames.biz
By David Owen