How Chemical Manipulation Intensifies Nicotine Addiction and Endangers Public Health. It's all about money over your health. Understanding Ammonia in Cigarettes Ammonia is a common chemical used in various industrial processes. In the context of cigarette production, ammonia is employed to enhance the addictive qualities of nicotine. This process, known as "freebasing," alters the pH levels of tobacco smoke, leading to a higher concentration of freebase nicotine. Freebase ni