Mission

We are dedicated to the goal of reducing the prevalence of tobacco dependence through the development of smoking cessation treatments.

Established in 1986, the clinic has explored and developed various approaches for helping smokers achieve smoking abstinence. We have particular interest in the most treatment-resistant smokers, that is those who are highly addicted to nicotine and tobacco. Many of these also suffer from co-morbid psychopathological conditions including depression and anxiety disorders.

Research at this clinic led to the first controlled evidence for the usefulness of non-nicotine medications as aids to smoking cessation and to the initial observations regarding the association between depressive disorder and smoking and smoking cessation.

Current Projects:

The Smoking Cessation Clinic has completed recruitment for studies related to prevention of relapse to smoking. In a study conducted in New York City, 588 smokers entered the initial phase of a multi-phase study to determine if maintenance pharmacotherapy using the current first line treatments for smokers, i.e., bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy, can reduce the very high relapse rate associate with nicotine addiction. More than 50% of these smokers stopped smoking during the initial open-label phase (with bupropion, nicotine patch, and counseling) and entered the second phase in which they were randomized to receive bupropion, nicotine gum, both medications together, or double-placebo for 16 weeks. All persons who entered this randomized clinical trial phase were followed through a 6-month treatment free period. This study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

The Smoking Cessation Clinic is also completing a replication of the maintenance treatment study in Manila, Philippines, in collaboration with investigators from the Department of Medicine at the University of the Philippines. This study is also funded by NIDA.

Future Project:

The Smoking Cessation Clinic was selected as one of six sites for a NIDA funded trial of methylphenidate as a smoking cessation treatment for smokers with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Approximately 252 smokers with ADHD will enter a randomized clinical trial that will test the efficacy of osmotic-release methylphenidate (Concerta) for helping smokers with ADHD quit smoking. This project is funded through the NIDA Clinical Trial Network . Recruitment for this study will begin in January, 2006.

Call 212-543-6113 for more information.

CLINIC STAFF

Director: Lirio S. Covey, Ph.D.

Medical Director: Alexander H. Glassman, M.D.

Program Manager: Cathy LoDuca

Study Physicians: Jane Fried, M.D.

Coordinator: Sally Woodring, R.N.

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