peer reviewed ; Introduction Smoking cessation is complex and challenging. The motivational week is a multidisciplinary approach that has been established in order to increase the chances of quitting smoking. The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of abstinence achieved and the predictive factors for quitting. Methods Clinical data, smoking status, levels of dependence and motivation as well as rates of continuous abstinence in the short and long-term of all patients who participated in the motivational week were analysed. Results Two hundred and thirteen patients were included. The mean age was 49.8 years (10.6). The rates of continuous abstinence were 40.4% at 6 months, 29.1% at 12 months and 21.6% at 2 years. Using logistic regression, having depression or a history of depression was associated with reduced likelihood of smoking cessation: OR: 0.32 [95%CI: 0.16–0.76; P = 0.003] at 6 months, OR: 0.35 [95%CI: 0.16–0.77; P = 0.009] at 12 months and OR: 0.27 [95%CI: 0.11–0.65; P = 0.004] at 2 years. Conclusions The motivational week seems to be an approach which is effective long-term and could be used in smoking cessation. This study confirms that depression is an unfavourable factor for quitting. © 2016 SPLF