London: People who use snus, a moist powder tobacco product, run twice the risk of developing alcohol dependency as compared with non-users. This suggests that nicotine dependency in any form could lead to alcohol addiction, says a new study.

The researchers added that the more one uses snus, the higher the risk. "This is the first time research has succeeded in showing that middle-aged people, who use snus run an increased risk of developing alcohol dependency," said Margareta Norberg, adjunct lecturer at the Umea University in Sweden.