A genetic variant present in nearly half of Americans of European ancestry is linked to greater effectiveness of the smoking cessation medication bupropion (Zyban), according to research by scientists supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Now Viewed as a Mainstream Healthcare Market, Smoking Cessation Drugs Set to Reach $1.5 Billion. Demand Factors, Emerging Products Analyzed by Applied Data Research.

Despite tried and true methods to quit smoking, young adults do not take advantage of these proven smoking cessation treatments that can double their chances of quitting, University of Illinois at Chicago public health researchers report.

Acupuncture? Nicotine patches? Telephone therapy? Antidepressants? Cognitive behavioural therapy? Which work? Which have no effect? Which are dangerous? Confused? Over 40 Cochrane reviews analyse the evidence.

Physicians may some day have a new tool for tailoring smoking cessation treatments to a patient's individual genetic makeup.