Thus, epigenetic mechanisms appear to underlie some part of the multigenerational transmission of a nicotine-induced asthma-like phenotype. Since many women continue to smoke and/or drink during pregnancy, the negative impact of tobacco or alcohol on the epigenome of the fetus can begin before birth and can influence the vulnerability of children to nicotine or alcohol addiction in their adult life. No published studies have used the multigenerational study approach to investigate the epigenetic mechanisms of AUDs.
