 High blood pressure BP, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension is associated with an elevated risk for several cardiovascular complications, including coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke, as well as an increased risk for renal disease. Although there have been significant advances in the detection and treatment of high BP, approximately one in four adults in the United States is hypertensive. Cigarette smoking accounts for more than 400,000 premature deaths each year in this country alone, making it the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Evidence from several epidemiological studies has demonstrated that, at any level of BP, smoking substantially increases the risk for all cardiovascular complications associated with hypertension. While cigarette smoking and hypertension both increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, these two risk factors act synergistically to produce a greater risk than their combined independent effects. Despite the considerable health risks, smoking among people with hypertension is very common, with a prevalence approaching that observed among those with normal BP. Unfortunately, although quitting smoking is especially important for patients with high BP, smoking cessation produces a nontrivial weight gain, averaging 5 kg, which may exacerbate hypertension in many patients with the disorder. Several studies have documented significant elevations in BP following smoking cessation, as well as increases in the prevalence of hypertension after quitting smoking. As such, it is important to develop effective interventions that assist in quitting smoking and preventing weight gain. 