We performed the largest exome-wide genetic association study of smoking behaviour-related traits to date and nearly doubled the number of replicated associations to 24 (including conditional analyses) including associations on the X-chromosome for the first time, which merit further study. We also identified a further 35 novel smoking trait associated SNVs in the combined meta-analysis. The novel loci identified in this study will substantially expand our knowledge of the smoking addiction-related traits, facilitate understanding the genetic aetiology of smoking behaviour and may lead to the identification of drug targets of potential relevance to prevent individuals from initiating smoking and/or aid smokers to stop smoking.
