Tobacco smoking, considered an addiction to nicotine, is a worldwide health problem but limited effective pharmacotherapies are available. Nicotine acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain thus interacting with a range of neurotransmitter systems of which the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system is considered crucial for drug dependence. The endocannabinoid system has also been implicated in nicotine dependence and the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant has shown efficacy as a smoking cessation aid. This thesis aimed to further examine the role of CBl receptors in the motivational properties of nicotine, both positive and negative.