In what might be the best bit of news I’ve heard in a long time, new research has shown that drinking red wine before sparking up a cigarette can actually prevent the harmful effects caused by smoking.

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But before you start necking bottles of the stuff, just be aware that this study only discusses drinking one glass of red wine and says that it only helps with the short-term damage to the lining of the blood vessels. Still, it’s something right?

Scientists investigated the effects of smoking on the blood and arteries of 20 healthy non-smokers who volunteered to take part in the study which involved them smoking three ciggies.

Half of the participants drank red wine an hour before smoking, and it was this group that proved drinking the wine prevented the release of micro-particles from artery walls, platelets and white blood cells that indicate smoking damage.

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In addition, drinking the red also prevented inflammation (which is linked to a whole host of diseases) and slowed own the genetic ageing process that is caused by smoking.

Lead scientist Dr Viktoria Schwarz, from the University of Saarland in Homburg, Germany, said:

The aim of our study was to investigate the acute vascular effects of red wine consumption prior to ‘occasional lifestyle smoking’ in healthy individuals.

We found evidence that pre-consumption of red wine prevented most of the vascular injury caused by smoking.

Dr Schwarz added that she did not advocate drinking and smoking regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle, nor did she wish to motivate people to drink more often as a result of this test.

Nevertheless, I think this is one of those studies that I’m going to save for the self-justification bank for next time I’m pouring myself a massive glass of red before sparking a cig. All in the name of health, right? Same goes for this story.