New Smoking Cessation Data Could Help Long-Term Quitting

Adults trying to quit smoking or vaping see potential 52-week efficacy results for the treatment cytisinicline.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Asthma

Gouache-painted illustration of a single medical capsule centered on a muted background, representing long-term smoking cessation research. — Achieve Life Sciences reported 52-week clinical trial results for cytisinicline, suggesting potential efficacy for adults seeking long-term smoking and vaping cessation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe long-term treatments are more effective than short-term methods for quitting smoking or vaping?

Achieve Life Sciences recently shared 52-week clinical trial results for cytisinicline, a potential aid for long-term nicotine dependence. The study suggests the treatment may help some adults successfully maintain smoking or vaping abstinence over a year.

Why it matters

Smoking and vaping cessation is difficult, and many people struggle to maintain abstinence long-term. This study provides new data on the safety and potential sustained effects of cytisinicline as a long-term treatment option for adults attempting to quit nicotine.

In a 52-week open-label trial of 479 adults, 31.2% of participants achieved sustained four-week abstinence at the end of the study. While the findings suggest potential efficacy for long-term nicotine cessation, the trial results remain preliminary and require further review.

The players

Achieve Life Sciences

A pharmaceutical company focused on the development of cytisinicline for nicotine addiction.

The details

Participants in the trial took 3 mg of cytisinicline three times daily alongside behavioral support. The medication works by targeting nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce withdrawal symptoms and the satisfaction derived from nicotine use. The most frequently reported treatment-related side effects were insomnia, headache, and abnormal dreams.

Weeks 9-12 saw a 25.5 percent sustained abstinence rate.
Weeks 21-24 saw a 30.3 percent sustained abstinence rate.
Weeks 49-52 saw a 31.2 percent sustained abstinence rate.
October 21, 2026: Results were presented at the CHEST 2026 meeting.

Health Landscape

This research builds upon the ORCA-OL study, which aims to address the limitations of short-term smoking cessation therapies. It reflects an evolving effort in the medical landscape to offer treatments that support sustained recovery for nicotine dependence.

If you are currently working to quit smoking or vaping, discussing long-term support options with your doctor can help you manage nicotine withdrawal. Keep in mind that clinical trials like this one focus on specific populations, and individual results can vary significantly.

The takeaway

Maintaining long-term abstinence from nicotine requires consistent support and effective tools to manage cravings and withdrawal. If you are struggling with cessation, ask your physician about established, FDA-approved programs and support options that suit your personal health needs.