Introduction: Tobacco craving is a core component of nicotine dependence and a strong predictor of relapse among smokers. The Tobacco Craving Questionnaire–Short Form (TCQ‑SF) is a widely used instrument for assessing craving; however, its applicability is limited in populations in Tamil populations. Aim: The present study aimed to translate the TCQ‑SF into Tamil and evaluate its psychometric properties in Tamil population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among tobacco users attending a Tobacco Cessation Clinic in a private dental college. Forward and backward translation procedures were carried out with the assistance of bilingual experts and a clinical psychology review panel. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index. Construct validity was evaluated through convergent validity using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and discriminant validity by comparing tobacco users and non-users. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest reliability using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Cross-cultural adaptation was examined among a larger sample of tobacco users. Cross‑language validation was conducted on a pilot sample of 20 habitual smokers using test–retest and Pearson correlation analyses. This limits its applicability among Tamil-speaking populations, particularly in South India Results: The development of a reliable and valid Tamil version of the TCQ-SF facilitated accurate assessment of tobacco craving, enhance tobacco cessation counselling, and supported research among Tamil-speaking populations in India. Conclusion: The Tamil version of the TCQ-SF demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties, including excellent content validity, good reliability, and robust construct validity. The scale retained the original four-factor structure and is suitable for assessing tobacco craving among Tamil-speaking tobacco users.
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