Given the need for large sample sizes in studies of suicidal ideation/behavior or suicides per se, perhaps the best method to test for an association of suicide and smoking, cessation, or use or medications would be to add questions about suicidal behavior to one of the national surveys on smoking; Even more importantly, questions about suicide should be added to ongoing longitudinal studies of adult smokers. Such studies not only can provide prospective validity tests but also accommodate mediator analysis. One could then examine the prevalence of suicide outcomes in smokers who tried to quit vs. did not, and those who used nicotinic medications vs. did not. Inclusion of data on important confounds (e.g. presence of debilitating smoking-related illness, psychiatric disorder, withdrawal symptoms and patterns of medication use) would be necessary. However, given the many possible interactions between ongoing smoking, stopping smoking and taking medications, an even better solution would be to include questions about suicide in ongoing prospective cohort studies. As many possible confounds, moderators and mediators as possible should be included. This is important not only to better
