Abstract

Salivary Cotinine, Self-Reported Smoking Status and Heaviness of Smoking Index in Adults From Constanta, Romania

Cristina I. Nuca, Corneliu I. Amariei, Victoria V. Badea, Agripina N. Zaharia, Cristina T. Arendt

Aim: To evaluate the salivary cotinine levels and self-reported smoking status in 35-44 year olds from Constanta, and also the nicotine dependence in those identified as constant smokers, using the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI). Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 286 participants aged 35-44 years (6% sampling error, 95% C.L.), the unstimulated salivary cotinine levels were measured using the NicAlert