Consequences of nicotine dependence are the leading cause of preventable death in the USA and it has been noted that some populations experience higher levels of addiction than others [1] but the reason for this is not understood. Multiple studies have demonstrated a genetic component to nicotine addiction [2–4], but little is known about the role of natural selection in shaping the genetic components of nicotine addiction. Such knowledge could help us understand the genetic and behavioral nature of addiction and ultimately facilitate the design and delivery of appropriate interventions to reduce nicotine addiction.
