Smoking remains a major health issue in USA and quitting smoking continues to be a challenge. In a recent survey, approximately 23% of Americans were found to smoke cigarettes (Balluz et al. 2004). While most smokers endorse a desire to quit (Fiore et al. 2000), very few will quit smoking without treatment, and only about 14–49% will achieve abstinence after 6 months or more of effective treatment (Holmes et al. 2004; Hughes et al. 1999; Hurt et al. 1997; Jorenby et al. 1999; Killen et al. 2000, 1999). Because cigarette smoking carries both considerable health risks (Bartal 2001; Mokdad et al. 2004) and high societal costs (Leistikow et al. 2000a, b), there is an urgent need for improved treatments for this condition. Functional brain imaging (in conjunction with other lines of research) holds great promise for elucidating both brain circuits and molecular targets that mediate the acute effects of cigarette smoking and the chronic effects of tobacco dependence. A greater understanding of brain function associated with smoking may result in improved pharmacological (and behavioral) interventions.
