Yes, you must quit smoking at least one month before neck lift and refrain from smoking for several months after the procedure. The nicotine in cigarettes, secondhand smoke, chewing gum, patches, and vape pens narrows the blood vessels and limits the blood supply to the skin tissues. When the skin is altered during neck lift or another procedure, nicotine use inhibits the healing process and can lead to necrosis, or skin tissue death, from the reduced blood supply to the area. Nicotine use can affect neck lift results and cause poor scarring.