| The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence How do you know if you’re already addicted to tobacco? Everyone’s situation is different. Please complete this test as truthfully as possible. | |
| 1. How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette? |
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| Within 5 minutes | 3 |
| 6 to 30 minutes | 2 |
| 31 to 60 minutes | 1 |
| After 1 hour | 0 | 2. Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden?
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| Yes | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| 3. Which cigarette would you most hate to give up?
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| The first one in the morning | 1 |
| Any other | 0 |
| 4. How many cigarettes per day do you smoke?
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| 31 or more | 3 |
| 21 to 30 | 2 |
| 11 to 20 | 1 |
| 10 or fewer | 0 |
| 5. Do you smoke more frequently during the first hours after waking than during the rest of the day?
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| Yes | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| 6. Do you smoke even if you are so ill that you are in bed most of the day?
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| Yes | 1 |
| No | 0 |
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Score of 6 or greater: Highly nicotine dependent A score of 6 or greater on this scale has been used as a criteria to recommend nicotine medication therapy or another FDA-approved anti-smoking medication or both. Taking these medications for tobacco cessation works best in coordination with a group or individual behavioral treatment program.
Score of 5 (or less): Less nicotine-dependent A score of 5 or less on this scale does not mean stopping smoking will be easy for you. This score has been used as a criteria to recommend a group or individual behavioral treatment program for smoking cessation. If not successful, consult your health care professional about nicotine medications or another FDA-approved antismoking medication or both. Remember that no self-test can absolutely and accurately determine the nature of your problem or the solution. Please use it as a marker to help guide you along your own path. Source: Fagerstrom KO, Heatherton TF, Kozlowski LT. Nicotine addiction and its assessement. Ear Nose Throat J 1991; 69:763-765 | |