I'm not a smoker, but can I have a light? Self-identification of Smoking Status in adult smokers

Research designated smoking categories have been used for years to help explain nicotine addiction and aid in smoking cessation. However, as we develop smoking cessation interventions for the millions of people who are smokers, we unknowingly omit those who would never categorize themselves as smokers, or those who smoke lesser amounts, leaving them at greater risk. This study examines the self-categorization of smoking status of 182 substance abuse treatment counselors who have smoked in the past 30 days. The respondents labeled their personal smoking status as “regular,” “once in a while,” or “ex.”   Self-identified “regular smokers” were more likely to be a daily smoker (p<0.001), smoke all 30 days in the past month (p<0.001), and smoke a pack or more cigarettes per day (p<0.001).  Further, “regular” smokers were less likely to want to quit smoking (p=0.014). “Regular” smokers also seem to have more addictive behaviors towards nicotine.  They were more likely to smoke earlier in the day (p<0.001), have a hard time not smoking in places where smoking is not allowed (p=0.001), hate giving up the first cigarette of the day (p=0.005), and smoke if sick in bed (p<0.001).  Self Identification of Smoking Status could help develop new programs aimed at different categories of smokers, as well as target certain individuals who may not associate themselves with smoking but still carry out the behavior.  Understanding the different needs of these different smokers is essential in smoking cessation treatments and interventions, and halting the progression to habitual smoking behaviors.