IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN:2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 13, Issue 4 Ver. IV (Jul – Aug 2017), PP 27-31 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/3008-1304042731 www.iosrjournals.org 27 | Page Assessment of Nicotine Dependence in Tri-Cities of Telangana Region Based On Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Y.Sneha Priya 1 , R.Srinivas 2 , S. Arshad 1 , D.Sudheer Kumar 3 , P.Kishore 1* 1 Department OfPharmacy Practice, Care College of Pharmacy, India 2 Cardiologist, Srinivasa Heart Center, Hanumakonda,Warangal, India 3 Department OfPharmaceutics, Care College Of Pharmacy, India * Correspoding Author:Y.SnehaPriya Abstract: Smoking is pathological addiction and biggest health risk contributing to morbidity and mortality. India accounts 12 % of the global smokers with the highest number of cigarette smokers recorded in J&K. Our primary objective was to find out the level of dependence in tri-cities of Telangana using FTND scale and to create awareness as a clinical pharmacist. Of the data collected among 524 tobacco users, the mean age was 40 years and more than 65% people are moderate to severely addicted to tobacco and tobacco products. Smoking kills upto 50 % of tobacco users causing CAD with mortality rate of 30 – 40 % and 90 – 95 % of lung cancer, 12% of our study population have health related problems showing low QoL. Poor awareness, Work stress, Peer pressure were found to be the major factors for addiction. It was observed that these factors for addiction are modifiable with proper counselling and awareness. Government policies, NGOs and health care professionals in particular Clinical Pharmacist can make a significant contribution in smokers life and can have positive impact in their life. Keywords:smoking, FTND, factors, addiction, awareness, QOL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 21-07-2018 Date of acceptance: 06-08-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction According to WHO facts sheets, tobacco kills more than 7 million people each year. 1 Global status report on non-communicable diseases 2010 states that almost 6 million people die from tobacco use each year, both from direct tobacco use and second-hand smoke. By 2020, this number will increase to 7.5 million, accounting for 10% of all deaths. Second hand smoking leads to nearly 6 million deaths worldwide annually. 2,3 In US, the prevalence is 15 %. Of all adults (36.5 million people) 16.7 % are male and 13.6 % are female as reported by CDC, 2015 4 .India accounts 12 % of the global smokers with the highest number of cigarette smokers recorded in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. 2,5 According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey Data in India, Prevalence of tobacco use in India was estimated to be 37 % among the population of 15 years and above 5,6 . Smoking prevalence is highest among upper-middle-income countries. 2 Nearly 80 % of more than one billion smokers world–wide live in low and middle income countries where the burden of tobacco related illness and death is highest. 5 The WHOs MPOWER policy emphasises the role of protecting people from ill effects of Tobacco products 7 . Though laws exist in India, implementation is not adequate. The awareness of public and law enforcement on Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (COTP) Act is poor. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of many preventable diseases. The pharmacologic effect of nicotine plays a crucial role in tobacco addiction 8 . According to WHO factsheets, ingredients in tobacco products may increase their attractiveness, addictiveness and toxicity. The use of ingredients to do so is contrary to the objective of the WHO framework Convention on Tobacco Control, namely to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. The addictive properties may also be indirectly enhanced by the inclusion of ingredients such as eugenol, menthol and cocoa. Ingredients such as eugenol and menthol numb the throat so the smoker cannot feel the smoke’s aggravating effects. Because of its local anaesthetic prope rties, menthol allows a deeper inhalation of the irritating tobacco smoke and as such, more smoke to be inhaled and deeper puffs to be attained, resulting in a higher nicotine dose per puff. With products like menthol-flavoured cigarettes, individuals can inhale more tobacco smoke while experiencing less of the harsh taste. Therefore, along with the added fresh taste, menthol has significant physiological effects on breathing. Similarly, additives such as cocoa may be used to dilate the airways allowing the smoke an easier and deeper passage into the lungs, exposing the body to more nicotine and higher levels of tar. Higher the addiction, harder to quit potentially