In the time‐to‐event analysis we detected genome‐wide significant association with rs72779075 on 10p14, located 35 kb from a pseudogene RP11‐575N15 and around 725 kb downstream of GATA3. In the follow‐up analysis the signal of this SNP was no longer significant; however, our mediation analysis showed no statistically significant evidence for the effect of rs72779075 being mediated by ND or nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and thus the effect on difficulty in achieving and maintaining abstinence is likely due to other mechanisms besides the severity of ND and withdrawal. This evidence concerns the gene GATA3 and Norrie disease.