Which tools are commonly used to assess nicotine dependence level?

• A. FTND and HSI.
• B. Blood pressure and heart rate.
• C. BMI and waist circumference.
• D. CT scans.

Answer: (A)

Assessing nicotine dependence level relies on validated, self-report instruments that quantify how strongly nicotine dependence is felt. The best-known tools are the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Heaviness of Smoking Index. The FTND is a six-question questionnaire that covers how much a person smokes, especially time to first cigarette after waking and daily cigarette consumption, along with other aspects like morning smoking and difficulty quitting. Scoring yields a range, with higher scores indicating greater dependence. The Heaviness of Smoking Index is a streamlined version based on two FTND items—cigarettes per day and time to first cigarette—and provides a rapid, yet valid, estimate of dependence that correlates with FTND scores and quit outcomes. These tools are widely used in both research and clinical settings because they are validated, quick to administer, and give a numeric measure that can guide treatment choices and predict relapse risk. Other options like blood pressure and heart rate reflect smoking's physiological effects but do not measure dependence; BMI or waist circumference measure body composition, not dependence; CT scans provide anatomical imaging, not dependence assessment.