Chemicals in tobacco may help trigger serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, a study suggests.
New research shows that smoking can triple the chances of developing psychosis.
Previously the fact that people with psychotic mental illnesses are more likely to smoke has been put down to non-causal factors, such as obtaining relief from distress or self-medication.
But now scientists believe something in tobacco might actually be responsible, alongside genetic and environmental influences.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11730441/Smoking-may-trigger-schizophrenia-scientists-warn.html