Twenty-seven smokers were classified pretreatment according to whether they reported high craving to smoke when they were actively engaged (n = 14) in a task or not (n = 13). Both groups reported reduced smoking and craving during a situation-based reduction program. But the former group showed a more consistent increase in self-efficacy, positive change in mood, and reported less relapse at six-month follow-up. We conclude that in our sample, situation-based reduction suited those with a preference to smoke during more goal-directed activities.