Motivational interviewing has shown some success as an intervention for college student cigarette smokers. We tested the efficacy and process of a two session motivational-interviewing-based smoking intervention compared to an assessment/information session. College student participants assigned to the motivational interviewing condition did not differ significantly from participants in the assessment/information condition on smoking outcome variables one month later. However, both groups reported significant decreases in self-reported smoking over time, suggesting that brief interventions for college student smoking can be efficacious. Consistent with theory, the motivational interviewing group reported a significant increase in self-efficacy over time and reported stronger perceptions of the therapeutic alliance after the first session compared to assessment/information participants. (Contains 2 tables.)