BACKGROUND: This article tests the hypothesis that remission from substance use disorders is associated with smoking cessation in nicotine dependent young adults. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample was composed of 976 young adults with lifetime substance use disorders and nicotine dependence who were subjects in the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol abuse and related conditions (NESARC). The Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV Version was used to assess lifetime and past year psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: Past year nicotine cessation was obtained by self-report. Remission from substance use disorders was defined as the past year absence of DSM-IV substance use disorders. This study found that remission from substance use disorders increased the likelihood of smoking abstinence (OR=1.7). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that remission from substance use disorders increased the likelihood of smoking abstinence in early adulthood. This finding is congruent with results from longitudinal studies.