First of all, great post, deserves more attention. I have been using nicotine daily and constantly for many years now and so that’s my source. I’m no pharmacologist but I’ve got a good bit of anecdotal experience.

As far as addiction goes. Yes, it certainly is, but to what extent it is depends on the individual. I’ve quit twice, both times for a period of about a month, and I’ve closely observed a roommate going through the process. Both my experience and his own were very similar but the difference was chewing tobacco vs vaping. We both went through about three days of withdrawal. It was shitty but absolutely tolerable and really not a big deal. I’m mentioning this because I have some strong feelings for people who are convinced that nicotine is a serious addiction.

I don’t know enough to say anything about the MAOI part but I think a contributor to tobacco being more addictive is that it’s more of an actual habit. The smells, the taste, the ritual, it’s all much stronger and requires more.