An investigation of cigarette smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Chinese opiate addicts

To explore the characteristics of nicotine dependence among Chinese opiate addicts, a survey was conducted among 357 opiate addicts in Drug Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center from 4 different provinces by using a self-designed questionnaire and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Among the 357 opiate addicts, 355 (99.4%) had the history of cigarette smoking and the mean cigarette smoked per day were 19.1, 34.9, 21.5 and 21.5 sticks during the time of before drug taking, addiction phase, abstinence period and after abstinence respectively. Among 347 smokers with FTND score, 67.2% were severe nicotine dependence (FTND score > or =7.0). The lower education degree, injection, poly-drug use and 3 or more relapse were dependently associated with the severe nicotine dependence, and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) were 3.8 (1.5-10.0), 2.3 (1.3-4.0), 3.7 (2.1-6.5) and 1.9 (1.1-3.4) respectively. This study exhibited high rate of cigarette smoking in Chinese opiate addicts and the majority had severe nicotine dependence and suggested that a comprehensive intervention of cigarette smoking should be paid attention to during substance abuse treatment in China.