Varenicline is a new type of non-nicotine medication specifically designed for smoking cessation. Varenicline was approved by the FDA in the US in May 2006 (under the trade name Chantix) and by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) in September 2006 (under the trade name Champix).

Guidance on the prescribing of varenicline has been issued by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellent (NICE) ASH also published guidance when the drug was released onto the UK market in December 2006, pending the official guidance from NICE.

The neurochemistry of varenicline is complex. It is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist and works by reducing the strength of the smoker's urge to smoke and relieving withdrawal symptoms. More detailed information is available in the documents in this section.