Researchers from Victoria University have found that cigarettes contain a number of addictive elements within the tar, in addition to the commonly cited nicotine. The study may shed more light on why people get hooked on cigarettes and help develop new strategies to help people quit. This is concerning for roll-your-own smokers as New Zealand loose leaf tobacco has a significantly higher ratio of tar to nicotine as manufactured cigarettes. The research looked at the effect that other, non-nicotine, components of tobacco smoke have on enzymes such as monoamine oxidase, which breaks down brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and adrenalin, affecting people’s mood. In addition to being exposed to higher levels of tar roll-your-own smokers tended to have habits which increased their level of addiction, including not using filters and drawing more intensively.

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