Nicotinism (smoking). Great attention is paid to the fight against smoking in connection with the harmful effects of this substance abuse on human health and its spread among children and adolescents, which is especially dangerous. In a number of countries around the world, the amount of tobacco grown is increasing from year to year. For example, in China, the USA and India, its production reached 9, respectively; 8.5 and 4 million tons per year (Fr. Gafney, 1981). According to I.I. Belyaev (1979), more than 50% of all men and about 25% of women smoke tobacco in many countries. According to a survey of 2,000 students in grades 6–9 of Leningrad, the number of smokers among schoolchildren is from 6 to 32% (A. Ya. Gutkin, 1975). In 1974, WHO concluded that smoking is one of the most serious public health problems and the main problem of premature death that can be avoided. It has been established that smoking negatively affects the functions of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, respiration, and the digestive tract. Tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis, malignant neoplasms, premature aging and, in addition, harms the family budget. Nicotinism as substance abuse was described by I.V. Strelchuk (1956), A.G. Stoiko (1958) and other authors. In chronic smokers, headache, heaviness and pain in the region of the heart, chronic bronchitis, dyspeptic symptoms, constipation are noted. The frequency of complaints depends on the age, state of health and the number of cigarettes smoked (cigarettes) per day. In old age, with poor health, tobacco tolerance decreases, as a result of which smokers often quit smoking. A person who quits smoking noticeably improves their well-being, physical and mental performance, and a feeling of liberation from a number of unpleasant sensations appears. The severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms depends on the age, gender, personality characteristics, mental state of the person, as well as on the degree of confidence in the success of the attempt to stop smoking. We consider the most frequent and constant signs of withdrawal symptoms to be a temporary aggravation of the characterological characteristics of a person, increased irritability, scattered attention and a slowdown in mental operations, a kind of sense of stupidity, lack of wisdom in a rapidly changing environment. There is also lethargy, a decrease in focused activity with passivity or fussiness, drowsiness or superficiality of night sleep, increased appetite, exacerbation of bronchial phenomena (increased cough), and stool retention. Depression, the possibility of occurrence of which was indicated by I.V. Strelchuk (1956), is, according to our observations, rare. The listed withdrawal symptoms are most pronounced in the first 2-4 days. Towards the end of this period, there is an improvement in physical well-being; the smell of tobacco smoke becomes unpleasant. The mental component of withdrawal symptoms lasts longer, since smoking is a kind of ritual that daily accompanied the performance of many types of work and leisure activities. Attraction is obsessive or compulsive. It is in the first 3-4 days that breakdowns most often occur, since the withdrawal person gets tired of controlling himself and decides to “give up” on his final decision. We believe that nicotine withdrawal usually has a wave-like course. Its exacerbation, mainly of the mental component, occurs at the end of the 1st and 2nd weeks, the 1st month and 2.5-3 months after smoking cessation. However, the attraction with each attack becomes less intense, more short-term and easily overcome. Its increase is noted after taking alcohol. Physical well-being, despite a periodic increase in attraction, remains good. It is rather difficult to treat tobacco (nicotine) substance abuse, although withdrawal is not very pronounced. To abstain from smoking, you need, mainly, a strong conviction of the smoker himself that you need to get rid of this bad habit. Prohibitive measures are not effective enough, apparently because of their categorization and formality. We need individual work with smokers, which should be carried out by teachers, doctors, heads of institutions, using specific facts, life examples and their own experience. Quitting smoking should be, in our opinion, simultaneous and complete, although it is recommended that we gradually wean from this bad habit. This is made easier when you turn off from everyday stressful activities, for example, during a vacation. For relief of withdrawal symptoms, it is advisable to take sedatives and tranquilizers in small or medium doses (2-3 times a day), as well as anabazine, tabex or lobesil 1 tablet 5-6 times a day for 1-2 weeks. In the medical complex, an important place should be taken by rational psychotherapy, hypnosis with a suggestion of aversion to smoking and autogenic training, especially during periods of increased craving for smoking. It should be noted that with prolonged use of sleeping pills and tranquilizers, the reactivity of the nervous system may change and withdrawal syndrome may form.