The first article reviews the biological basis for nicotine dependence and demonstrates how dependence on nicotine is very similar to dependence on heroin and cocaine because all three drugs involve stimulation of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain's reward system. The rationale for using pharmacological therapy to treat nicotine dependence is discussed. The next article focuses on the specific action of nicotine on monoamine oxidase B in brain tissue. Subsequent articles review the literature demonstrating an association between cigarette smoking and major depression and examine the vulnerability of persons with major depression to continue smoking even after achieving abstinence, the extent of cigarette smoking among persons with psychological problems, and the association between simultaneous use of cigarettes and other drugs. The last two articles concern the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in a general population treated by primary care clinicians and the development of an addiction treatment program to address nicotine dependence as another drug dependency. References, tables, and figures