The validity of the Prokhorov adolescent version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) has not been demonstrated in assessing nicotine dependence among Chinese adolescents in China. Data for 48 tenth-grader 30-day smokers in Wuhan, China (ages 16-17 years), were analyzed. Two different item scoring protocols were used, and self-reports of smoking were validated with saliva cotinine. When items were scored using Protocol A, Cronbach's alphas were .42 and .63 for the 7-item and the 4-item scales, respectively; while using Protocol B, the alphas were .67 and .79 for the 7-item and 4-item scales, respectively. The total FTQ scores were significantly associated with self-reported smoking and saliva cotinine levels. These results support the reliability and validity of the Prokhorov FTQ.