Resource Center: tobacco, dependence

Patient Example of the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire for Adolescents

This physician handout will help practitioners choose ways to detect nicotine dependence in their patients.

Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, sponsored by the Public Health Service, includes new, effective clinical treatments for tobacco dependence that have become available since the 2000 Guideline was published. This update will make an important contribution to the quality of care in the United States and to the health of the American people. (From Their Website)

Quitting tobacco is difficult because all forms of it—cigarettes, cigars and spit (chewing) tobacco—contain nicotine and nicotine is the agent in tobacco that's capable of causing addiction or dependence. However, you can quit once and for all. The reasons for quitting are simple: You'll lower the chances of having a heart attack, stroke or cancer, including oral cancer. A smoke-free environment is healthier for those around you. If you're pregnant, you'll improve your chances of having a healthy baby. And, the money spent on tobacco can be used on other things. (From Their Website)

The burden of suffering due to tobacco use is staggering, and irreconcilable with the relative social and medical complacency with which it is treated. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature death in our society, claiming more lives around the world each year than war: it may be the most important public health issue of our time., Since most smokers see a physician each year, and most smokers report a desire to quit, primary care clinicians are well positioned to assist smokers in their cessation efforts. It is essential to provide effective cessation intervention for all smokers at each visit. (From their website)

Fagerström Tolerance Questionnare for Adolescents

Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence from Heatherton et al., 1991

This checklist was first described in the Development and Assessment of Nicotine Dependence in Youth study, and was designed to screen adolescents for symptoms of tobacco dependence (DiFranza et al. 2002a). An adolescent answering yes to any of these questions is said to have some dependence on tobacco.

A chart giving information on different products for tobacco dependence including the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, nazal spray, bupropion, and varenicline.

The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Training Program is an intensive, five-day course focusing on the skills needed to effectively treat tobacco dependence. (From Their Website)