A new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has found that cigarette additives may be making it harder for smokers to kick the butt.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Michel D. Rabinoff, assistant research psychiatrist at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.As a part of the study the researchers investigated tobacco industry documents and other sources for evidence of possible pharmacological and chemical effects of tobacco additives.
The study found that 100 of the 599 documented cigarette additives have "pharmacological" actions that camouflage the negative impact of smoke in the environment by masking odour, visibility and irritation (without equivalent efforts to decrease the harmful effects of second-hand smoke).
These additives also enhance or maintain nicotine delivery; and mask symptoms and illnesses associated with smoking behaviours.
The researchers state that their study is important as it points to a need for regulation of cigarette additives as well tobacco.
Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the research is published in July 31 online edition of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Public Health.
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