Nicotine dependence and loss of autonomy among young adult smokers visiting a tertiary dental setting, Pune: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The young adult age group represents a vital developmental period during which tobacco usage may begin or stop. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nicotine dependence, different degrees of loss of autonomy (LOA), and their association with various participant characteristics among young adult smokers visiting a tertiary dental setting in Pune. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, face-to-face interview was conducted with 400 young adult smokers to obtain the demographic and smoking details. This was followed by filling out the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist for each patient to assess the nicotine dependency and LOA among the participants. Descriptive statistics followed by univariate and multivariate regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Three hundred and forty (85%) participants had nicotine dependency, i.e. 85% of the participants showed at least one symptom of LOA. Sixty (15%), 115 (28.75%), and 225 (56.25%) participants showed no LOA, low degree of LOA, and high degree of LOA, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, those who aged between 24 and 29 years (cumulative odds ratio [cOR]: 5.65), P < 0.001; those who smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day (cOR: 5.72), P < 0.001; and those whose age of first cigarette was <20 years (cOR: 2.36), P < 0.001, showed higher degree of LOA. Conclusion: A high prevalence of nicotine dependence was found among young adult cigarette smokers. Those who belonged to a higher age group, those who smoked more frequently, and those who started smoking at a younger age were found to have a high degree of LOA.