191. Take the Nicotine Dependency Test


One of the ingredients that makes cigarettes addictive is nicotine. One researcher says, “If cigarettes didn’t contain nicotine, people would be no more inclined to smoke them than they would be to blow bubbles.”


Some smokers are more dependent on nicotine than others. The test below can help you determine just how hooked you may be. (If you’re seriously hooked, you may want to consider nicotine replacement therapy, discussed in Tip 196.)

Chapter 8

  1. Freedom from Substance Abuse

  1. 1.How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?

Nicotine Dependency Test

How to Score

Scores of 7 or higher indicate that you are highly dependent on nicotine. Scores of 6 or less indicate that you have a low to moderate nicotine dependence.

0 Points

1 Point

After 30 min.

SOURCE: Test developed by Karl-Olov Fagerstrom, Ph.D., Smoking Withdrawal Clinic, Ulleraker Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

2 Points

Score

No

Any other than the one in the morning.

1-15

No

No

Low

Never

Within 30 min.

Yes

The first one in the morning.

16-25

Yes

Yes

Medium

Sometimes

More than 26

High

Always

TOTAL ________

  1. 2.Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden, such as libraries, theaters, or doctor’s offices?

  1. 3.Which of all the cigarettes you smoke in a day is the most satisfying?

  1. 4.How many cigarettes a day do you smoke?

  1. 5.Do you smoke more during the morning than during the rest of the day?

  1. 6.Do you continue to smoke even on days you are so ill that you remain in bed?

  1. 7.Does the brand you smoke have a low (up to 0.4 mg), medium (0.5-0.9 mg), or high (1.0 mg. or more) nicotine content?

  1. 8.How often do you inhale the smoke from your cigarette?