Smoking patterns were described and compared retrospectively for 5395 participants in the Lung Health Study at 12 and 24 months. 3592 participants were assigned to a special intervention (SI) group that received a counseling assisted smoking cessation intervention that included nicotine gum and 1803 participants were assigned to a usual care (UC) group that received no assistance in quitting smoking. Participants were smokers diagnosed with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and averaged 31.4 cigarettes/day at entry. Significant differences were found regarding smoking outcomes and smoking patterns between groups as well as within each group. Counseling assisted participant's continuous abstinence rate at 24 months was 25.1% compared to 3.5% for unassisted smokers. Counseling assisted men were more successful at remaining abstinent at 24 months (27.1%) compared to (21.8%) for counseling assisted women. No gender differences were found for unassisted smokers. Abstinence rates were biochemically validated. Differences were also found in smoking patterns between groups for those unable to achieve continuous abstinence at 24 months. Counseling assisted participants smoked fewer cigarettes, made more quit attempts, smoked fewer months and stayed quit longer. Mixed results were found for baseline demographic and smoking history variables. Age started smoking, other smokers in the household, education and social support were not significant. Cigarettes smoked per day, previous quit attempts, longest period quit and alcoholic drinks per week were significant. / Graduation date: 1992