One possible modification of DSM criteria for nicotine dependence was offered recently by Hughes [9], who noted that the same dependence criteria are applied across all drugs of abuse, based on the notion that all substances share common features of problematic use. However, Hughes suggested that not all DSM-IV criteria apply to nicotine dependence. The author proposed that only withdrawal, difficulty controlling use and use despite harm are applicable to nicotine dependence. This assertion was based on observations that these three features are common among cigarette smokers, whereas the remaining four criteria are more common among other drugs of abuse (e.g. [10,11]).
