Background: Fifteen percent of U.S. adults continue to smoke despite the availability of effective smoking cessation treatment and healthcare systems are positioned to address this deficiency. Text messaging is a widespread technology which shows promise as a way to reach smokers and to connect them with treatment. Tobacco cessation support delivered by text message increases abstinence among smokers interested in quitting in community- or school-based settings. This has led to the creation of text messaging programs by the National Cancer Institute, SmokeFreeTXT, and others. However, little is known about the feasibility of delivering smoking cessation support by text message for smokers engaged in healthcare systems. Integrating text messaging programs within healthcare systems has clear advantages. Documentation of smoking status is one of the Meaningful Use standards. This documentation enables healthcare systems to identify their population of smokers and proactively target them with health interventions outside of the busy office visit. Text messaging programs originating from the physicians' practice may also leverage the influence physicians have on smokers' motivation to quit.