Are You Hooked?
Karl Fagerstrom, a Swedish psychologist who has been busy putting the buzz in the nicotine patch, gum, spray and inhaler came up with a test that’s widely used to determine just how hooked people are to nicotine.
Give the questionnaire a spin and I’ll publish the rating scale tomorrow or Thursday.
Karl Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Questionnaire
For each statement, circle the number that describes you best. (What’s the use in fudging? Your doctor won’t see the answers.)
1. How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
a) 10 or less (0)
b) 11 – 20 (1)
c) 21 – 30 (2)
d) 31 or more (3)
2. How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?
a) 0 – 5 minutes (3)
b) 30 minutes (2)
c) 31 – 60 minutes (1)
d) After 60 minutes (0)
3. Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where smoking is not allowed (e.g. hospitals, government offices, cinemas, libraries etc)?
a) Yes (1)
b) No (0)
4. Do you smoke more during the first hours after waking than during the rest of the day?
a) Yes (1)
b) No (0)
5. Which cigarette would you be the most unwilling to give up?
a) First in the morning (1)
b) Any of the others (0)
6. Do you smoke even when you are very ill?
a) Yes (1)
b) No (0)
Total Point(s): _______
Check back in and see how you score.
