The Relationship between Nicotine Dependence and Age among Current Smokers

BACKGROUND: A recent study indicates that the incidence of smoking cessation varies with age. Although nicotine dependence (ND) has been regarded as one of the most significant barriers of successful smoking cessation, few researches have focused on the relationship between nicotine dependence and age. METHODS: A cross-sectional study (conducted in 2013) with 596 Chinese rural male current smokers was performed to study the relationship between ND and age. The ND level was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scale. The univariate two-degree fractional polynomials (FPs) regression was used to explore the relation of ND to age. RESULTS: The mean of FTND scores in the middle-aged group (45–64 yr old) was higher than that in the younger (<45 yr old) and older groups (≥65 yr old). The FPs regression showed an inverse U-shaped relationship between ND and age. CONCLUSION: The middle-aged current smokers had higher degree of ND than the younger and the older groups, which showed an inverse U-shaped relationship between ND and age. This finding needs to be confirmed by further researches.