The present work reviews the following aspects of smoking. First, the
middle and long term pathological consequences which have been found t
o be related to tobacco consumption. Second, the neuropharmacological
effects of nicotine, psychoactive substance found in tobacco, which ar
e involved in the development of tolerance and physical dependence, an
d the behavioral changes on vigilance, learning, memory and subjective
perception. In addition, the short term modifications produced by smo
king on biochemical and psychophysiological parameters which explain t
he development of physical dependence and pathological problems are su
mmarized. Finally, the classical theories on the behaviours of tobacco
consumption together with its related problems are presented, emphasi
zing the biobehavioral approach as the most powerful and complete expl
anation as to why an individual begins and continues to smoke, and doe
s it on a certain manner.