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MOTLEY QUESTIONS WIGAND ABOUT THE ADDICTIVENESS OF NICOTINE

Q. What is the basis for your opinion, professional scientific opinion, that nicotine is addictive? 
A. I think nicotine is addictive in a number of aspects. First of all, nicotine is a pharmacologically active compound. I think it has been clearly demonstrated that nicotine elicits pharmacological effects. Nicotine crosses the blood brain barrier intact. Nicotine also mimics many of the endorphins, which are the body's natural analgesic compound, pain killers.
MR. MOTLEY:
Q. Go ahead.
A. I think the reinforcing effect of nicotine is one. I think it is clearly documented in the scientific literature outside the tobacco industry that nicotine is an addictive substance and a drug.