Smoking Study With Behavioral Therapy for Hypertensive Patients (VANQUISH)

Inclusion Criteria:

• regular smokers, with no period of abstinence exceeding 3 months in past year
• expired CO of at least 8 ppm
• self-reported desire to stop smoking
• at least 18 years of age
• resting systolic BP of 120-160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of 80-100 mmHg but otherwise in good health (see exclusion criteria)
• if on antihypertensive medication, have not changed medications during the previous month and do not intend to change in the next 3 months
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• receipt of smoking cessation treatment (behavioral or pharmacological) in the past month
• serious or unstable medical disease within the past 6 months, including myocardial infarction, cancer, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, or seizures
• evidence or history of allergic reactions contraindicating varenicline use or clinically significant laboratory or electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities
• breastfeeding, pregnant or not using effective contraception if a woman of childbearing potential
• arm circumference of >42 cm, which precludes accurate BP monitoring
• serious psychiatric illness in past 6 months (e.g., schizophrenia, psychosis, suicide risk, drug or alcohol dependence other than nicotine)
• use of tobacco containing products other than cigarettes in past month and do not agree to abstain from use of these products during study participation
• ongoing use of any of the following medications: nicotine replacement therapies, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or naltrexone
• in recovery for pathological gambling