A proposed revision of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire

This article presents the results of initial testing of a revised version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (TQ). Revisions were designed to improve the psychometric properties of the TQ. Four diverse samples of cigarette smokers completed the 10-item Revised Tolerance Questionnaire (RTQ), and responses were subjected to psychometric and factor analyses. Substantial improvement in internal consistency was obtained as compared to prior studies of the TQ. In addition, the results of factor analysis indicate that a substantial amount of covariation among the 10 items can be accounted for by a single common factor. Thus, unlike the TQ, the RTQ appears to be measuring a unidimensional construct. Also, preliminary data on temporal stability are positive. With respect to validity, the RTQ correlated moderately with the TQ and outperformed the TQ in predicting expired alveolar carbon monoxide. Finally, suggestions for further establishing the validity of the RTQ are offered.