Management of Tobacco Treatment Intervention in Reducing Surgical Complications in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Who Smoke Cigarettes

* Eligible patients will have a new diagnosis of lung cancer and have sought a surgical consult relating to this diagnosis * Surgery must be scheduled no sooner than 10 days after randomization and no more than twelve weeks after randomization * Have smoked daily or nearly every day in the previous 6 months up to the date of surgical consult AND have smoked at least one puff in the previous 7 days * Motivated to stop smoking, as indicated by a score of 6 or above on the Contemplation Ladder * Within the 30 days before registration, no use of: 1) any pharmacologic treatment for smoking cessation, including bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy; 2) any nicotine delivery system (i.e., e-cigarettes and vape products); or 3) be enrolled in any formal behavioral treatment program for tobacco dependence as determined by patient report * No allergies to and not currently using varenicline * No suicidal thoughts as indicated by a positive (1+) response to the PHQ9 * No active untreated clinically significant psychiatric condition (psychosis, bipolar disorder, or depression) * Negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) done =\< 7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only \* A female of childbearing potential is a sexually mature female who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 12 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months) *…