This review focuses on the current status and future directions of pharmacogenetics research into responses to treatments for nicotine dependence and smoking cessation. Research remains in its infancy and, although the potential for individualized treatment tailored to genotype is promising, there are practical, ethical and social considerations that must be addressed before such research is translated into clinical practice. In particular, future studies that need to be conducted before such research is translated into clinical practice and potential limitations and barriers to this translation are described.