Fagerström test
Peer reviewed by Dr John Cox, MRCGPLast updated by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPLast updated 9 Nov 2017
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
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The Fagerström test is a questionnaire that can be used to see whether you are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes.
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Nicotine Dependence Test
Score each of the following questions (the scores are given in brackets).
1. How soon after you wake up do you have your first cigarette?
A. Within 5 minutes (3)
B. 6-30 minutes (2)
C. 31-60 minutes (1)
D. After 60 minutes (0)
2. Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden - eg, in church, the library, the cinema, etc?
A. Yes (1)
B. No (0)
3. Which cigarette would you hate most to give up?
A. The first one in the morning (1)
B. All others (0)
4. How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
A. 10 or fewer (0)
B. 11-20 (1)
C. 21-30 (2)
D. 31 or more (3)
5. Do you smoke more often during the first hours after waking than during the rest of the day?
A. Yes (1)
B. No (0)
6. Do you smoke even if you are so ill that you are in bed most of the day?
A. Yes (1)
B. No (0)
Now add up your score
7 to 10 points = highly dependent on nicotine.
4 to 6 points = moderately dependent on nicotine.
Fewer than 4 points = less dependent.
The higher your score, the more likely you are to have withdrawal symptoms if you give up smoking; also, the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be stronger.
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Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
9 Nov 2017 | Latest version
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