A history of alcoholism does not interfere with the success of nicotine replacement therapy, according to new research.

Previous research has shown that smokers with a history of alcoholism are more nicotine-dependent than smokers with no such history, suggesting that smoking cessation may prompt a relapse to drinking among a small number of smokers with a history of alcoholism.

“This study refutes the common perception that smokers with a history of alcoholism have more difficulty quitting smoking and are likely to relapse back to alcoholism,” said Dr. John R. Hughes of the University of Vermont. “Our results suggest smokers with this history need to be encouraged to attempt to stop smoking.”

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , between 80 percent and 95 percent of alcoholics smoke cigarettes, more than three times higher than among the population as a whole.

Hughes and his colleagues examined 115 heavy smokers with a past history of alcoholism, most of whom had been abstinent from alcohol for more than five years. The team assessed the participants’ past and present alcohol and drug dependence and randomly assigned the individuals to receive either a nicotine patch or a placebo.

Participants’ abstinence from smoking, alcohol and other drugs during the study was verified by a variety of tests, according to the researchers.