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Nicotine most likely to hook women, whites and young

Originally found on Dr. Bob Martin's informative website: http://www.drbobmartin.com/2k_09_28news09.html

NEW YORK, Sep 28 (Reuters Health) - It has been known for years that some people are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction than others, and smokers who have tried to quit can tell you just how difficult kicking the habit can be.

Now, a new study suggests that in general, adolescents, whites and women are the groups that are most susceptible to becoming dependent on nicotine, even when using the same amount of nicotine or less than other groups.

"Nicotine may be the most addictive of all substances," according to Dr. Denise B. Kandel, of Columbia University in New York, and colleague Kevin Chen. "Rates of dependence in the general population are higher for nicotine than alcohol, marijuana or cocaine," they report in the September issue of Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

Kandel and Chen looked at surveys from more than 22,000 people. The study participants were considered to be dependent on nicotine if they answered 'yes' to at least three of six questions asked. For example, the researchers asked if the participants had tried to quit and failed, or if their addiction had negative consequences on their job or social life.

"We do not claim that the indicators provide a definite diagnosis, only that they identify individuals with a high probability of being dependent," the authors write.

Women smoked fewer cigarettes than men, according to the researchers, but they have a higher rate of dependence, especially between the ages of 18 and 49. This suggests that women are more sensitive to the effects of nicotine than men are.

Similarly, young people, who smoke fewer cigarettes than adults do, experience higher rates of dependence. Whites also appeared to be heavier smokers, and to be more dependent on nicotine than blacks are.

"The present research is a first step in the investigation of nicotine dependence in the general population," Kandel and Chen conclude. "These differences may be due differences in (the way people smoke), biological differences across individuals, and differences in perceptions of symptoms and other social psychological processes."

SOURCE: Nicotine and Tobacco Research September 2000.