Duke Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research (CNSCR)

Hock Plaza
2424 Erwin Rd. Suite 201
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 668-5055 

The Duke CNSCR is a research facility dedicated to finding the biological causes behind smoking addiction.  

Under the direction of Jed Rose, Ph.D., the co-creator of the nicotine skin patch, the CNSCR works to develop and evaluate new smoking cessation treatments, and to find new applications and combinations of existing treatments. The CNSCR conducts both human and animal subject studies that probe the mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction and apply this knowledge to further cessation treatments. Some of the CNSCR’s current studies test investigational approaches, while others investigate the efficacy of using existing treatments in new ways. Other studies, in collaboration with the Duke University Department of Radiology and Wake Forest University, use state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to investigate nicotine’s effects on the brain. CNSCR also uses pre-clinical models (including effects of nicotine in rodents) to address questions about nicotine and addiction that are difficult to address in human subjects.

Nicotine addiction is the most common form of drug addiction in the United States and one of the deadliest. According to The American Cancer Society, each year, tobacco use causes more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle accidents, suicides and murders combined. Given all the reasons not to smoke, why do people continue to do so? CNSCR researchers are continually exploring new ways to help discover the numerous psychological and chemical reasons underlying smoking addiction, and then using these discoveries to develop improved approaches to cessation.

CNSCR researchers understand the Surgeon General’s assertion that it may take smokers several attempts at quitting before smokers are finally able to kick the habit. Some smokers may try to quit “cold turkey,” but less than 1 in 20 individuals succeed, highlighting the need for improved treatments. Some smokers, believing that it is less harmful, switch to a lower yield cigarette (i.e. Lights, Ultra Lights) not realizing that a low-tar cigarette can be just as harmful as a high-tar cigarette due to the smoker taking deeper puffs, puffing more frequently or covering ventilation holes in the filter.

The Duke CNSCR is not a treatment facility; therefore participation in one of our studies does not guarantee success at quitting smoking.”

Contact Information
Phone: (919) 668-5055
Fax: (919) 668-5088
Email: smoking@duke.edu
WEB:  http://www.dukesmoking.com

Duke CNSCR
Hock Plaza
2424 Erwin Rd. Suite 201
Durham, NC 27705