Previous studies demonstrated that treatment success with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is associated with markers of slower nicotine metabolism (12, 14). However, because some of these studies did not include a placebo control group, the interaction between treatment and metabolic rate could not be determined. Another study showed more successful cessation among slow nicotine metabolizers than among fast metabolizers when both received placebo treatment; both groups had equivalent quit rates with bupropion treatment (13). In the current research, we will determine if the effect of cessation pharmacotherapy varies with nicotine metabolism in the context of different active pharmacotherapy conditions and placebo.
