Researchers are clearing the smokescreen surrounding nicotine use in neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent findings indicate that nicotine may have beneficial effects in controlling the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome and may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. However, researchers remain unconvinced about the feasibility of using nicotine in treating schizophrenia. These findings, and the potential for using nicotinic agonists in cognitive disorders, were discussed at the inaugural conference of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco [San Diego, US; March 1995].