Nicotine Cessation Clinic

Nicotine dependence is one of the most common and most treatable addictions, yet fewer than one in ten people succeed in quitting without support. Our Nicotine Cessation Clinic offers evidence-based treatment combining medication and behavioral therapy, delivered by specialists who understand the neuroscience of addiction. Whether you smoke cigarettes, use a vape, or rely on pouches, dip, or snuff, we can help.

Why Quitting Matters

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to science. It physically rewires the brain, making quitting alone extremely difficult; that is not a lack of willpower, it is biology. And biology responds to treatment.

The health consequences of continued use are serious:

• Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths annually. It is the primary cause of lung cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular disease, and significantly worsens outcomes in virtually every psychiatric condition.
• Vaping is not a safe alternative. Modern disposable e-cigarettes deliver nicotine at concentrations up to five times higher than cigarettes, using nicotine salt formulations that are smoother, faster-acting, and significantly more addictive. A single disposable device can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes (or more!), with no smell, no smoke, and no way to track how much you are using. The long-term health consequences of vaping are still emerging, but established risks include lung injury, cardiovascular effects, and profound nicotine dependence, particularly in young people.

Quitting has immediate and lasting benefits. Within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, your heart rate begins to normalize. Within one year, your risk of heart disease drops to half that of someone who continues smoking. The benefits begin the moment you stop.

Our Approach

We combine the two most evidence-based tools available, medication and behavioral therapy, because research consistently shows that the combination produces significantly better outcomes than either alone.

Treatment Program Structure

Our program is brief, structured, and designed to fit into your life.

Step 1 — Evaluation: Your first visit is a comprehensive evaluation. We review your history with nicotine, assess your level of dependence, discuss your goals, and determine whether this program is the right fit for you. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and learn about your options before committing to anything.

Step 2 — Treatment Sessions: Over two to three focused sessions, we work with you to build the skills you need to quit and stay quit. This includes identifying your triggers, developing coping strategies, setting a quit date, and initiating medication if appropriate. Sessions draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, the two most evidence-based behavioral approaches for nicotine cessation.

Step 3 — Medication Management and Follow-Up: For patients who benefit from pharmacotherapy for their nicotine dependence, we provide ongoing medication management visits to monitor your response, adjust dosing, and support you through the quit process and beyond.

Medications We Offer

We prescribe FDA-approved medications with strong evidence for nicotine cessation:

• Varenicline (generic / Chantix) is the most effective single medication available, making patients three times more likely to quit than placebo. It reduces cravings and blunts the rewarding effects of nicotine.
• Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin / Zyban) doubles quit rates and is particularly well-suited for patients who also experience depression or low mood.
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) including the patch, gum, and lozenge are available without a prescription and highly effective when used in combination. We guide you on how to use it correctly, which most patients are never taught.

Your treatment plan is individualized. We select the medication that best fits your medical history, other medications, and personal preferences.

Behavioral Therapy

Motivational Interviewing helps you explore your own reasons for quitting at your own pace. It is non-confrontational, patient-led, and particularly effective for patients who feel ambivalent or are not yet certain they are ready to quit.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy identifies the triggers, habits, and thought patterns that keep you using nicotine, and builds practical strategies to manage cravings, handle high-risk situations, and prevent relapse.

Who We See

This program is open to teenagers and adults who use nicotine in any form, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco; electronic cigarettes and disposable vapes; nicotine pouches and snus; smokeless tobacco (dip and snuff); and dual use of multiple products.

You do not need a referral. You do not need to have tried quitting before. You do not need to be certain you are ready. If you are curious about quitting, or if someone in your life has encouraged you to explore it, that is enough to make an appointment.

Learn About Vaping Risks for Young People 

Contact Us 

To schedule an evaluation or ask questions, call 212-305-6001 or email 51stpsyreferral@cumc.columbia.edu. You can also request an appointment online. Appointments are available Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm.

This program is part of the Smithers Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.