 Fifty chronic smokers will complete a validated procedure for screening new medications. All subjects will receive 8mg ramelteon and placebo. The order in which ramelteon and placebo is received will be randomized across participants. This is a 6-week study consisting of two 2-week medication phases separated by a 2-week washout. Each phase includes 1 week of ad libitum smoking baseline and 1 week of medication ramelteon vs. placebo plus transdermal nicotine patches while trying to abstain from smoking quit assessment. Subjects will complete the same procedures during each study phase. Following completion of the study, participants will be offered standard smoking cessation treatment. 