Michael Burke, Ed.D

Program Director, Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center

Mike has more than 25 years experience connecting with people to support tobacco and vape free living. Through his work with Rutgers University and the Mayo Clinic he has also provided training and education to health professionals so that they can similarly empower their patients to live tobacco and vape free. Mike has a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University, has served as Education Director of the Rutgers Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program, and Director of Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, from which he retired in 2023. He is Licensed as a Professional Counselor in New Jersey and Minnesota and currently maintains a private counseling practice while keeping a keen focus on the leading cause of preventable death and illness in the United States: Tobacco Use Disorder.

Articles

Man sitting at desk contemplating his smoking cessation benefits and which work best

Free vs. Fee-based Smoking Cessation Benefits: Which Work Better?

It’s a small investment for an employer to provide smoking cessation benefits to employees. But the evidence is quite strong that it makes a big difference. A person who smokes costs $8,156 per year more, when compared to a non-smoker. The increased annual cost per employee is due to higher […]

man looking at last cigarette as he attempts to stop smoking

Why Don’t People Just Stop Smoking?

Despite all we know about the health problems caused by using tobacco, people continue to smoke, dip or chew. This can seem baffling. But knowledge, desire, and determination typically are not enough for most to simply stop smoking. In fact research over the past 25 years has shown that, out […]

young african american man holding smartphone text messaging as an effective quit smoking method

Is Live Chat Coaching an Effective Quit Smoking Method?

When it comes to quitting tobacco, a one-size-fits-all approach can miss the mark. The needs and experiences of people who smoke are different than those who vape. Those with mental health conditions need different support than those without such challenges. People quitting for the first time have different expectations than […]

hand of a nicotine dependent person holding a burning cigarette

Why I Help Organizations Like Yours with Nicotine Dependence

At Mayo Clinic, I supervise a program at the Nicotine Dependence Center that treats more than 2,500 patients every year and educates more than 400 health professionals. I also conduct research efforts into what type of behavioral shifts are most effective for quitting tobacco. My path getting to this point […]

Want Smoking Cessation Programs in the Workplace that Work?

Tobacco use is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S. Between 8% and 18% of healthcare expenditures, depending on smoking prevalence, are attributable to smoking. Most smokers want to stop, and each year about 70% of all smokers and 62% of e-cigarette users try to stop for good, […]

woman in yellow investigating the role of digital tobacco cessation programs integrated into lung cancer screening on her mobile device

Effectiveness of New Digital Technologies for Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening

This commentary addresses the role of digital tobacco cessation programs integrated into lung cancer screening. Given the enormous toll from smoking caused disease, it is important to continue to implement […]

An Integrated Digital/Clinical Approach to Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Delivering effective tobacco dependence treatment that is feasible within lung cancer screening (LCS) programs is crucial for realizing the health benefits and cost savings of screening. Large-scale trials and […]