This article describes the development of a new smoking cessation and maintenance guide aimed at a broad spectrum of cigarette smokers. To accomplish this task the authors reviewed the research literature and conducted a series of iterative pretests with representatives of the target populations using qualitative and quantitative methods. A process is described for developing health education materials which includes the selection of the target audience, organization and presentation of content, and pretesting of the material. The utility of this user-oriented strategy and step-by-step pretesting is discussed.