This special issue of Tobacco Control contains the presentations and discussions at the conference “ Issues in Smoking Cessation: Who Quits? Who Pays?” held in Washington DC on 13 and 14 April 1993. Although they were focused on the US, the many thoughtful observations and comments that follow provide a broad-based insight into the current state of smoking cessation and much of the research, policy and health service efforts aimed at eliminating smoking from society. One cannot help but be impressed by the growth in the knowledge …