The proposed study tests the efficacy of using pager-assisted messages combined with nicotine
patches in facilitating smoking cessation and relapse prevention in a 2-arm randomized
clinical trial. The hypothesis is that the proportion of biochemically-verified quitters at 3
and 12 months in the study arm randomized to receive therapeutic messages on alphanumeric
pagers for 3 months along with individual smoking cessation counseling and nicotine patches
will be greater that the proportion of biochemically-verified quitters who receive only
individual smoking cessation counseling and nicotine patches.