Spread 'em if you got 'em.

Have the urge to light up? Just apply this gel

Walgreen selling cigarette in a hand gel across the U.S.

NEW YORK - A new hand gel is starting to appear on drug-store shelves promising more than just an end to germs or dry skin - this one claims to satisfy users' tobacco cravings for up to four hours.

Walgreen Co. , the largest U.S. drugstore chain by sales, is now stocking its more than 5,500 stores with packets of Nicogel, a quick-evaporating gel made with tobacco extracts. The roll-out should be finished within a couple weeks, said company spokeswoman Carol Hively in an e-mail, adding that it costs $5.99 for box of 10 doses.

Nicogel, made by a unit of privately held Blue Whale Worldwide Inc., can be used when smoking is inconvenient, such as at work, on an airplane, in a theater or, these days, in almost any other public place.