PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrhythmias within the past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception for at least 3 months prior to and during study Good health by medical history No history of seizure disorder No epilepsy No prior serious head trauma or other predisposing factors to seizures (e.g., alcohol withdrawal, febrile seizures during childhood, brain tumor, cerebrovascular accident, or family history of idiopathic seizure disorder) No known hypersensitivity or allergy to nicotine, menthol, or bupropion No prior or concurrent diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa No other member of household currently enrolled on this study No bipolar disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia