Smoking frequency, nicotine dependence, and factors related to nicotine dependence during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The present study aimed to reveal the frequencies of tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use and factors related to nicotine dependence during the COVID-19 among individuals living in the central district of Burdur, Turkey. We carried out this cross-sectional, epidemiological study between April and August, 2021. The sample was composed of 660 people selected using the cluster sampling technique. We collected the data using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and a 20-item literature-grounded questionnaire. We then analyzed the data using an independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. About one-fourth of the participants (23.6%) reported current use of alcohol, while the rates of tobacco smokers and e-cigarette users were 59.7% and 5.6%, respectively. We determined 39.6% to have moderate-level nicotine dependence. Moreover, the participants’ FTND scores significantly differed by employment in gender, a paid job, perceived health status, and alcohol use along with smoking (p = 0.003, p = 0.029, p = 0.009, and p = 0.002, respectively). Overall, we concluded that the participants had high frequencies of tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use and an elevated nicotine addiction level during the pandemic.