Dataset Information

Classifying a smoker scale in adult daily and nondaily smokers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Smoker identity, or the strength of beliefs about oneself as a smoker, is a robust marker of smoking behavior. However, many nondaily smokers do not identify as smokers, underestimating their risk for tobacco-related disease and resulting in missed intervention opportunities. Assessing underlying beliefs about characteristics used to classify smokers may help explain the discrepancy between smoking behavior and smoker identity. This study examines the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Classifying a Smoker scale among a racially diverse sample of adult smokers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered through an online panel survey service to 2,376 current smokers who were at least 25 years of age. The sample was stratified to obtain equal numbers of 3 racial/ethnic groups (African American, Latino, and White) across smoking level (nondaily and daily smoking).

Results

The Classifying a Smoker scale displayed a single factor structure and excellent internal consistency (? = .91). Classifying a Smoker scores significantly increased at each level of smoking, F(3,2375) = 23.68, p < .0001. Those with higher scores had a stronger smoker identity, stronger dependence on cigarettes, greater health risk perceptions, more smoking friends, and were more likely to carry cigarettes. Classifying a Smoker scores explained unique variance in smoking variables above and beyond that explained by smoker identity.

Conclusions

The present study supports the use of the Classifying a Smoker scale among diverse, experienced smokers. Stronger endorsement of characteristics used to classify a smoker (i.e., stricter criteria) was positively associated with heavier smoking and related characteristics. Prospective studies are needed to inform prevention and treatment efforts.

SUBMITTER: Pulvers K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3977485 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Classifying a smoker scale in adult daily and nondaily smokers.

Pulvers Kim K Scheuermann Taneisha S TS Romero Devan R DR Basora Brittany B Luo Xianghua X Ahluwalia Jasjit S JS

Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 20131201 5

<h4>Introduction</h4>Smoker identity, or the strength of beliefs about oneself as a smoker, is a robust marker of smoking behavior. However, many nondaily smokers do not identify as smokers, underestimating their risk for tobacco-related disease and resulting in missed intervention opportunities. Assessing underlying beliefs about characteristics used to classify smokers may help explain the discrepancy between smoking behavior and smoker identity. This study examines the factor structure, relia ...[more]

PMID: 24297807

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Project description:IntroductionMost smoking cessation approaches are modeled on heavy daily smoking. With increasing prevalence of nondaily smoking, it may be necessary to modify these approaches for nondaily smokers.AimsTo provide information about beliefs and attitudes relevant to smoking cessation for nondaily smokers.MethodsSecondary analysis of two prospective studies on young adult smokers (18-24 years of age) provided brief advice to quit smoking. Measures include baseline levels of constructs relevant to smoking cessation counseling and perceived benefits of and barriers to smoking cessation.ResultsParticipants (n = 40 nondaily, 122 daily smokers) were predominantly White (70% and 84%, respectively), gender-balanced (50% and 43% female), full-time college students (89% and 95%). At baseline, nondaily smokers reported lower levels of nicotine dependence (p < .001; nondaily: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) = 0.8 ± 1.5, daily: FTND = 3.1 ± 1.9), lower urge to smoke (p < .001), greater self-efficacy when facing external smoking stimuli (p = .03), expecting to experience fewer positive effects (reduced negative affect, p = <.001, stimulation, p = .02), and valuing the importance of smoking effects less (ps < .01) than daily smokers. During counseling, nondaily smokers generated both fewer benefits of cessation (Wald X2(df = 1) = 4.91, p = .027) and fewer barriers (Wald X2(df = 1) = 5.99, p =.014) than daily smokers. Withdrawal was not listed by nondaily smokers as a barrier (p < .01).ConclusionsConstructs relevant to smoking cessation for daily smokers were less salient to young nondaily smokers, compared with moderately addicted young daily smokers, as indicated by responses to standardized scales and by the generation of fewer benefits and barriers in counseling. Interventions may need to find novel ways to engage nondaily smokers, particularly young adult, in smoking cessation efforts.ImplicationsThis study is unique in eliciting benefits and barriers from nondaily smokers as they are about to make a quit attempt. This is a critically important point in time, as this is the point in time in which an action plan is formed and can be informed and enhanced by smoking cessation support. Our study further allowed direct comparison to daily smokers undergoing the same procedures, which allowed the identification of unique factors that may impact nondaily smokers in their quit attempt, which may guide intervention efforts. Use of a mixed method design further strengthen the rigor of this study.

Project description:IntroductionNon-daily intermittent smokers (ITS) comprise 30% of US adult smokers. ITS smoke for nicotine and have trouble quitting, but tend to smoke in particular situations. This study tested the effect of nicotine gum, used to prevent or react to situational temptations, for helping ITS quit.MethodsITS (smoking 4-27 days/month) seeking help quitting were randomized to 2 mg nicotine gum (n = 181) or placebo (n = 188), to be used to anticipate or react to temptations to smoke, for 8 weeks. Participants received up to six sessions of behavioral counseling. The primary outcome was 6-month biochemically verified continuous abstinence; analyses also examined 14-day point-prevalence abstinence at multiple time points, and used event-history analyses to assess progression to abstinence, lapsing, and relapsing. Analyses adjusted for group differences in age and baseline smoking, and considered several potential moderators of treatment effects.ResultsNicotine gum did not significantly improve outcomes on any measure. Biochemically verified 6-month continuous abstinence rates were 7.2% for active gum and 5.3% for placebo (AOR = 1.39, 0.58-3.29, p > .25). ITS with any degree of dependence (Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence scores >0) showed poorer outcomes on multiple endpoints, and did more poorly on active gum on some outcomes. Gum use was low, starting at 1 gum per day on average and declining over time.ConclusionsNicotine gum (2 mg), used intermittently, did not improve cessation rates among ITS, including those demonstrating some degree of dependence.ImplicationsNicotine replacement has been extensively tested with daily smokers, especially those who smoke relatively heavily. Nondaily smoking is now common, creating a need for treatment for ITS. Despite evidence that ITS' smoking is motivated by nicotine-seeking, a theoretically and empirically derived situational approach to using acute nicotine replacement was not successful at helping ITS quit. Gum use was low; whether higher or more frequent dosing is needed, or whether an entirely different approach is needed, is not clear. Effective treatment options are needed for ITS, especially those with some degree of dependence.

Dataset Information

Classifying a smoker scale in adult daily and nondaily smokers.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Classifying a smoker scale in adult daily and nondaily smokers.

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