Study to test treatments against smoking relapse

Researchers at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and the New York Psychiatric Institute have launched the first federally-funded study to test whether extended use of smoking cessation drugs can help ex-smokers avoid relapse. The study will test whether people who have just quit smoking with the help of Zyban, the nicotine patch, and counseling can benefit from a four-month maintenance regime of medication and supportive counseling. Dr. Lirio S. Covey, Ph.D., the lead investigator, is associate professor of clinical psychology at Columbia and director of the Psychiatric Institute's Smoking Cessation Clinic.

Participants will first enter a two-month smoking cessation program. Those who quit will enter a four-month maintenance phase under one of three regimes: counseling with nicotine gum, counseling and Zyban (a non-nicotine smoking cessation pill), or counseling and placebo. Participants will be monitored for another six months to assess their ability to continue not smoking. People who smoke at least 15 cigarettes daily, who have smoked for at least one year, who have made at least one previous attempt to quit, who are free of significant illness, and who can make the required clinic visits are invited to participate.

Interested persons may call 212-543-5905. For more information, contact Carolyn Conway at 212-305-3900 or cc328@columbia.edu.