Nicotine linked to breast cancer for first time

Nicotine that makes smoking addictive is one of the chemicals in cigarettes that can trigger breast cancer, says new research.

The findings could be a big blow to makers of nicotine-based products that help smokers to quit.

Normal cigarettes are known to contain at least 60 cancer-causing compounds, including carbon monoxide, tar and arsenic, but until now nicotine had not been on the list, reports the Daily Mail.

Researchers looked at both breast cancer cells and normal cells to see if nicotine spurred tumour growth at a cellular level, according to The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Yuan-Soon Ho and his team from Taipei Medical University found that when normal cells were treated with nicotine in the lab it promoted the development of cancer characteristics.

Likewise, reducing the level of nicotine inhibited tumour growth.

The research could have a negative impact on companies that make nicotine gum, patches and electronic cigarettes that are promoted as a “healthy alternative” for smokers.