Washington, July 23 (IANS): Much of the nicotine in e-cigarettes is the addictive form of the compound like their traditional counterparts, says a new study.

E-cigarettes have been touted as a tool smokers can use to get rid of traditional cigarettes. But e-cigarette liquid also contains nicotine and emits carcinogens.

Although e-cigarettes don't burn tobacco, they heat and vaporize a liquid that contains nicotine, flavourings and other substances.

Najat Saliba, professor of analytical chemistry, American University, Beirut, and his colleagues tested commercial samples of liquids made for the devices.

They found that by and large, the nicotine was in the most addictive form. The nicotine content could lead users to become addicted to e-cigarettes, or that it could even serve as a gateway to conventional cigarettes and other drugs.

But not all nicotine is created equal, and studies had yet to investigate what kind of nicotine was in the liquids. Out of three forms, scientists believe "free-base" nicotine is the only one that gets absorbed by the body, making it the most addictive kind.