Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, AIDS, and Smoking Cessation: The Time is Now

Treatments for persons who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or who have developed AIDS have advanced to the point where death is no longer the inevitable outcome of diagnosis. Combination antiretroviral therapy has made HIV infection less of a terminal condition and more of a medically manageable chronic disease. Thus, efforts to improve the health status and quality of life of HIV-infected persons have become one of the highest treatment priorities for the next decade. Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among HIV-infected persons, and quitting smoking would greatly improve the health status of these individuals. However, to date, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of a smoking-cessation intervention specifically tailored to this population. This article reviews the evidence and rationale for advancing smoking-cessation treatments specifically tailored to the needs of HIV-infected persons and provides recommendations for future treatment studies.