Significance: The way smoker smokes his cigarette (smoking topography) depends on many factors, like his age and sex, or the type of cigarettes he smokes. Smoking topography includes a puff volume, a number of puffs taken during smoking one cigarette, a frequency and time of puffing, and the intervals between puffs.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to verify if the level of nicotine dependence affects smoking topography.
Methods: We investigated 59 regular smokers (33 females and 26 males), in the age of 34 +/- 12. The level of nicotine dependence was determined with Fagerström Test (FTND) and Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS). Smoking topography was measured five times during a single day. Smokers smoked their regular brands of cigarettes.
Results: We showed, that the puff volume and intervals between puff strongly correlated with the level of nicotine dependence. When using NDSS test, we found that the total puff volume and the number of puffs taken from a single cigarette correlated with a drive to smoke. Negative correlation was found between the total puff volume and the number of puffs taken from a single cigarette and a tolerance. Continuity of smoking affected a number of puffs and the intervals between puffs.
Conclusion: Nicotine dependence affects smoking topography.