Table 2: Fagerstrom Scale (13)

The questionnaire that follows will help you estimate your physical dependency on nicotine. Each letter represents points 0, 1, 2 or 3. Enter your answer to each question on the line next to the question.

____1. How soon after you wake up do you have your first cigarette?

1. within 5 minutes (3)
2. 6-30 minutes (2)
3. 31-60 minutes (1)
4. After 60 minutes (0)

____2. Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden, e.g., in church, at the library, in cinema, etc.?

1. Yes (1)
2. No (0)

____3. Which cigarette would you hate most to give up?

1. the first one in the morning (1)
2. all others (0)

____4. How many cigarettes/day do you smoke?

1. 10 or less (0)
2. 11-20 (1)
3. 21-30 (2)
4. 31 or more (3)

____5. Do you smoke more frequently during the first hours after waking than during the rest of the day?

1. Yes (1)
2. No (0)

____6. Do you smoke if you are so ill that you are in bed most of the day?

1. Yes (1)
2. No (0)

A high score means that you are probably dependent on nicotine and you are likely to experience some withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. A score of 7 or greater is considered high. A score less than 7 suggests that you are less likely to encounter physical symptoms due to withdrawal from nicotine.

Reprinted with the kind permission of Dr. Karl-Olov Fagerström