A new study has suggested that children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be more at risk of a nicotine addiction.

Research from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), USA, found that young people who have ADHD are prone to the development of a serious addiction to cigarettes, in addition to being more likely to start smoking in the first place.

The survey revealed that patients with the disorder were more susceptible to environmental influence, meaning that parents who smoke around their ADHD diagnosed children were putting them at serious risk.

Commenting on the news, managing director of the Substance Abuse Program at MGH's paediatric psychopharmacology department, Timothy Wilens, said it was important to understand the effects tobacco could have on patients and families.

He added that the study "also gives us clues about how the neurotransmitter systems involved in ADHD and tobacco use may be interacting."

Today, Goole and District ADHD Support Group in the UK will hold an event to raise awareness and provide support to sufferers and their families.

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