Although smoking cessation techniques have been effective, few programs have long term results. To investigate the effectiveness of a tobacco dependence relapse prevention program, 123 adult smokers (51 male, 72 female) voluntarily participated in one of four small group treatment conditions (6 or 30 second aversive smoking plus skill training, or 6 or 30 second aversive smoking plus discussion control) over a 14-weeek period. Skill training focused on relaxation, commitment enhancement, and relapse prevention skills, while discussion control focused on group discussions of habit breaking and desire for change. Prior to treatment and at 3, 6, 26, and 52 weeks post-treatment, subjects reported the number of cigarettes smoked in the past 24 hours, provided blood and air samples, and completed an assessment battery focusing on mood, anxiety, cost/benefits, withdrawal symptoms, behavior, and expectations. An analysis of the results showed that differences in abstinence rates and in number of cigarettes smoked favored the skill training condition at 6 and 52 weeks post-treatment. Exploratory analyses indicated that at 52 weeks lighter smokers (20 cigarettes per day or fewer at pretreatment) were more likely than heavier smokers to be favorably affected by the skill training condition. Subjects assigned to the skill training condition were more likely to report use of coping skills, but did not differ from the discussion condition in perceived costs and benefits of change or of smoking, or in mood dysphoria or physical complaints. Abstinent subjects reported less mood disturbance than nonabstinent subjects at weeks 3, 6, and 26, and fewer physical complaints at week 52. (Author/BL)