The primary purpose of this book and its companion volume The Behavioral Genetics of Nicotine
and Tobacco is to explore the ways in which recent studies on nicotine and its role in tobacco
addiction have opened our eyes to the psychopharmacological properties of this unique and
fascinating drug. While The Behavioral Genetics of Nicotine and Tobacco considers the molecular
and genetic factors which influence behavioral responses to nicotine and how these may impact
on the role of nicotine in tobacco dependence the present book focuses on the complex neural
and psychological mechanisms that mediate nicotine dependence in experimental animal models and
their relationship to tobacco addiction in humans. These volumes will provide readers a
contemporary overview of current research on nicotine psychopharmacology and its role in
tobacco dependence from leaders in this field of researchand will hopefully prove valuable to
those who are developing their own research programmes in this important topic.
