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Background: The Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) has been used to assess nicotine dependence (loss of autonomy over tobacco) among adolescents. Existing HONC validation studies for non-cigarette products, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), have generally not considered biomarkers of nicotine exposure.Methods: Within a cross-sectional sample of California (USA) high school students (total N = 1396; mean age 15.2 years; 56% female; 54% Hispanic/Latinx), self-reported past 30-day users of any tobacco (including e-cigarettes) completed a modified 10-item HONC questionnaire and provided saliva samples (N = 318 samples, including N = 234 exclusive past 30-day e-cigarette users). Samples were analyzed for cotinine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (lower limit of quantification: 1.0 ng/mL).Results: Across four categories of HONC score corresponding to an increasing number of reported dependence symptoms (scores: 0, 1, 2-4, 5-10), the prevalence of quantifiable salivary cotinine increased among past 30-day tobacco users (20%, 21%, 38%, 55%, respectively, P-for-trend < 0.001) and among past 30-day exclusive e-cigarette users (15%, 22%, 31%, 42%, respectively, P-for-trend = 0.001). Among participants with quantifiable cotinine levels, HONC total score and cotinine were positively correlated among past 30-day tobacco users (n = 89; Spearman rho = 0.449; P < 0.001) and past 30-day exclusive e-cigarette users (n = 49; Spearman rho = 0.520; P < 0.001). HONC score was also associated with past 30-day frequency of tobacco product use and reported use of tobacco within 30 min of waking.Conclusions: These results support the validity of HONC to assess nicotine dependence among adolescents. Dependence symptoms may be experienced at low levels of nicotine exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Thirdhand smoke (THS) residue lingers for months in homes of former smokers and may play a role in relapse after smoking cessation. This study examined the association between THS pollution as measured by the level of nicotine in house dust and continued abstinence from smoking.Methods: Participants were 65 cigarette smokers who reported they were enrolled in any type of smoking cessation program, had set a specific date to quit, and had biochemical verification of continuous abstinence at 1-week (W1), 1-month (M1), 3-months (M3), or 6-months (M6) after their quit date. House dust samples collected at baseline before quitting were analyzed for nicotine concentration (μg/g) and nicotine loading (μg/m2) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Results: Controlling for age, gender, overall and indoor smoking rates, and years lived in their home, dust nicotine concentration and loading predicted abstinence at W1, M1, M3, and M6. A 10-fold increase in dust nicotine loading and concentration were associated with approximately 50% lower odds of remaining abstinent.Conclusions: Findings suggest nicotine in house dust may play a role in facilitating relapse after smoking cessation. Additional research is warranted to investigate the causal role of THS residue in homes of former smokers on cravings and continued abstinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]