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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 reduction therapy, discussed in Tip 196.)
Nicotine Dependency Test
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0 Points |
1 Point |
2 Points |
Score |
| 1.How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette |
After 30 minutes |
Within 30 minute |
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| 2.Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden, such as libraries, theaters, or doctors' offices? |
No |
Yes |
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| 3.Which of all the cigarettes you smoke in a day is the most satisfying? |
Any other than the first one in the morning. |
The first one in the morning. |
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| 4.How many cigarettes a day do you smoke? |
1-15 |
16-25 |
More than 26 |
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| 5.Do you smoke more during the morning than during the rest of the day? |
No |
Yes |
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| 6.Do you continue to smoke even on days you are so ill that you remain in bed? |
No |
Yes |
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| 7.Does the brand you smoke have a low (up to 0.4 mg.), medium (0.5 to 0.9 mg.), or high (1.0 mg. or more) nicotine content? |
Low |
Medium |
High |
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| 8.How often do you inhale the smoke from your cigarette? |
Never |
Sometimes |
Always |
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TOTAL: |
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SOURCE: Test developed by Karl-Olov Fagerstrom, Ph.D., Smoking Withdrawal Clinic, Ulleraker Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
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.
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