A long-term pipe/cigar smoker has a white, fissured palate dotted with red spots (inflamed minor salivary duct openings). This is:

Correct answer: A. Nicotinic stomatitis (smoker's palate)

• A. Correct. Nicotinic stomatitis presents as a whitened, fissured hard palate with red dots at inflamed minor salivary gland ducts; it is reversible with cessation.
• B. Erythroplakia is a velvety red, high-risk lesion, not this white-with-red-dots pattern.
• C. Lichen planus shows lacy white striae, typically on buccal mucosa.
• D. Candidiasis presents as wipeable white plaques or erythema, not this duct pattern.