Addiction to nicotine is the reason most of the smokers use tobacco on a regular basis.

Addiction is defined as obsessive drug quest and use, even in the face of negative consequences of health. It is a fact that most smokers recognize use of tobacco as injurious and articulate a wish to minimize or quit using it, and almost 35 million of smokers desire to quit each year. It is unfortunate that just about 6 percent of smokers who attempt to quit are triumphant for more than a month.

Many researches have shown that nicotine acts on the brain to produce a variety of effects. Findings that are of chief significance to the addictive nature of nicotine reveal that nicotine actually activates reward pathways, that is, the brain circuitry that regulates feelings of pleasure. Neurotransmitter dopamine is a key brain chemical that is involved in mediating the desire to consume drugs, and researches have shown that it is nicotine that increases dopamine levels in the reward circuits. This is the reaction that is similar to that seen with other abused drugs, and is considered to motivate the pleasurable ambiances experienced by most of the smokers. Nicotine’s abuse potential is also enhanced by its pharmacokinetic properties. A rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain is caused by cigarette smoking, with levels of drug peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. However, along with the dissipation of acute effects of nicotine in a few minutes, the associated feelings of reward also dissipate. It is the associated feelings of reward that prevent withdrawal and makes the smoker continue dosing in order to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects.