This study of 94 postmenopausal female smokers evaluated the effect of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and hormone therapy (HT) on change in weight, energy intake, and physical activity during 2 weeks of smoking abstinence. Women, stratified by current use of HT, were randomized to nicotine or placebo patch. After 2 weeks of abstinence, women on nicotine patch had significantly larger increases in total caloric and fat intake than women on placebo patch and a trend toward larger increases in carbohydrates (total and sweet). Conversely, the nicotine group had less weight gain, 0.47 kg, than the placebo group, 1.02 kg (F=10.31, p=0.002). No effects were observed for hormone therapy. It appears that in short-term smoking abstinence, postmenopausal women on NRT gain less weight than do women on placebo, in spite of consuming more calories. This may be beneficial in the critical first 1-2 weeks of tobacco cessation, especially in light of postmenopausal weight gain.