FWIW, I've quit nicotine in various forms for various reasons. I've never been able to form a conclusion on how it does or doesn't affect HAs. Had 'em since '96, chronic since 2004.

Currently not using nicotine for all the other good reasons. No effect on HAs. Batch's D3 regimen has them 95% gone though. started in 1st week of Dec. '11.

Gotta believe not smoking is always a good idea.

I used to use nicotine as a abortive.  One or two cigarettes would tame mild to moderate HA's for me.  Any higher than that and nicotine is useless for me and I would use a Imitrex.  I'm trying to wean myself off of nicotine now and it has made no difference in my CH.

I haven't really noticed anything with nicotine but I have noticed that alcohol is a definite trigger. If I am in a cluster period and I take even 1 shot of alcohol or one beer and my cluster starts.

I dont think my smokes ever triggered a hit... But then again i once blamed orange juice. I have smoked near the end of a big hit b4, but i dont think it aborted it, just made me feel better at the time.

Focus...
Coach bill

I cant remember where I read this but what I read was that its not the nicotine that triggers a HA. Its the carbon monoxide or the smoke.

I recommend ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES. My father was a smoker for 40 years of 1.5 - 2 packs a day. He quit for 1 year now and is still going strong using these things. It didnt take so well for me though.

Here is a summary of all my electronic cigarette knowledge.

--These things are surprisingly satisfying because they contain nicotine, are shaped like a cigarette and allow you to inhale and exhale vapor (not smoke). You can feel the "hit" in your throat which is nice but it doesnt quite feel like a cigarette.

-- Its about 80-90% as satisfying as the real thing. Most doctors agree it is waaaayy less harmful than cigarettes (due to absence of fire and smoke) but they lack FDA approval. Many think this is because it would bankrupt tabacco companies.

-- Starter kit costs between 60-200$. Continued use costs less than 1/4 of traditional smoking. I recommend doing some research and spending on the starter kit. Dont buy cartridges to resupply. Just buy liquid.

--Switching from traditional smoking to this takes will power. However it takes way less willpower than quiting altogether.

--Use of electronic cigarettes is allowed everywhere except hospitals and airplanes. (Honestly nobody would even catch you because they dont really create an odor)

If this is the first time you hear about this, google "electronic cigarettes" IMMEDIATLY.

In fact, youtube it!!

Personally I cant wait for that cigarette after the beast subsides, and even sometime smoke durring an attack if its not too powerful. It helps calm me down a bit with all of that intense pain flying around.

Technically, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor but cigarette smoke irritates the eyes and sinuses so it's also a trigger for some. Also, since nicotine is involved and effects many biological processes, it may affect cycles in various ways.

I started smoking at the age of 17 and had my first cycle at the age of 11, and my longest cycle was during a time when I didn't smoke, so I guess cigarettes aren't causing my cycles - but every one of us is different and quitting smoking is still a good idea.