FTND · 2 minutes

Nicotine dependence (Fagerström FTND)

Six questions about your smoking pattern. Result tells you the severity of your nicotine dependence and points to the cessation strategy with the strongest evidence for your level — from brief counselling to combination NRT or varenicline.

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1 of 60% complete
Question 1

How soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?

Educational tool — not a diagnosis. FTND, Heatherton et al. 1991. Adapted from the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire. Standard severity measure in nicotine dependence research.

Frequently asked

Plain-language answers about smoking dependence, this screener, and what evaluation costs at a Class A hospital in China.

What's a high FTND score?
0–2 very low dependence, 3–4 low, 5 medium, 6–7 high, 8–10 very high. Higher scores predict more difficulty quitting unaided and stronger benefit from combination pharmacotherapy.
What's the most effective smoking cessation treatment?
Varenicline (Champix) plus brief behavioural counselling has the highest 12-month abstinence rates in head-to-head trials. Combination NRT (patch + lozenge or gum) is also high-yield. The single most predictive factor is having a structured plan with follow-up.
What does cessation care cost in China?
Varenicline 12-week course at a Class A pulmonology / smoking cessation clinic: typically $80–140 for the full course vs $400–600 US. Group counselling programmes at academic hospitals are typically free or nominal cost.

About this screener

FTND, Heatherton et al. 1991. Adapted from the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire. Standard severity measure in nicotine dependence research.

What this screener covers

  • Nicotine dependence(ICD-10 F17.2)

Medical review

Reviewed by Panda Touring Care medical team (Pulmonology coordinator review) · last reviewed 2025-04-01