Plavix has not been found to be any more effective than a low dose of aspirin for anti-platlet medication. However, the preferred protocol after drug eluding stent implant is a year or so with aspirin and plavix regimen for the treatment of the probability of restenosis (blood clots) at the site of the stent.
No anti-platlet medication can off set the deleterious effects of nicotine, and small vessels are especially vulnerable for blood flow problem.