Role of nicotine dependence in smoking relapse: Results from a prospective study using population-based recruitment methodology

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Results of a prospective examination of factors influencing smoking relapse are reported for a sample of smokers (N=522) obtained through population-based recruitment. All subjects were given a modified Fagersirom Tolerance Questionnaire (modified FTQ), which is a 5-item self-report instrument characterizing smokers according to their degree of nicotine dependence. At 30 days postcessation. those placing in the lowest quartile of the modified FTQ at baseline had the highest survival rate (79%) and those placing in the highest quartile at baseline had the lowest survival (non-relapse) rate (43%). The difference in survival among the groups was statistically significant (p > .001). At 12 months, those placing in the lowest quarrtile of baseline cigarette consumption had the highest survival rate (34%) and those placing in the highest quartile had the lowest survival rate (14%; p > .001), It seems increasingly clear that level of dependence, even as indexed by comparatively crude self-report measures such as amount smoked is associated with the rate and pattern of smoking relapse.