Pharmacologic approaches to smoking cessation
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Updated: May 21, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
Published on: February 10, 2012
Abby M Bailey1, Tracy Macaulay
1UK HealthCare, Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0293, USA.
Abstract:
Cigarette smokers experience greater rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the known health risks, use of tobacco products remains high throughout the United States (approximately 19.3% of adults). Tobacco use is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular illness, cardiovascular risk factors (ie, hypertension and atherosclerosis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and various types of cancer. Pharmacologic smoking cessation therapies have been used to facilitate abstinence from smoking. This article provides clinicians with instructions for the use of pharmacologic agents for smoking cessation, including considerations for special populations.
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