Smoking: A Panel Study of Beliefs and Behavior following the PHS Report

Abstract

Following the PHS Report on smoking and health, a panel study of 128 college students was conducted, with questionnaires administered 2, 4, and 12 wk. after the Report appeared. Data were obtained on smoking behavior, recall and evaluation of the contents of the Report, perceptions of the personal relevance of health threats from smoking, satisfactions derived from smoking and expected benefits from quitting. Restrictions in the data obtained prevented a test of the prediction that a specified combination of beliefs would lead to a given behavioral change. The data partially confirmed predicted belief differences between those who continued to smoke, those who resumed smoking, and non-smokers. Neither the level of, nor changes in, reported satisfactions from smoking and benefits expected from quitting seemed to be used as means for dissonance reduction. However, smokers, as compared with non-smokers, became less accurate in recalling the content of the Report, and evaluated the Report less favorably. Smokers appeared to accept the possibility of personal harm from smoking but believed they could quit if they decided to do so. An intention to quit apparently helped some smokers tolerate the disturbing discrepancy between their beliefs and their behavior.

The smoking problem: A review of the research and theory in behavioral risk modification.

“…Of this group, 52.9% considered quitting, 34.4% tried, 15.5% achieved short-term success, and 7.1%) achieved long-term success (minimum of 3 months). More recent data suggest shortand long-term success rates roughly double those reported earlier (Horn, Note 3; see, also, Swinehart & Kirscht, 1966). Panel data and the national survey data provided by the National Clearinghouse for Smoking Research suggest that the continuing antisrnoking effort could have both cumulative effects and a number of unexpected indirect effects; for example, these campaigns stimulated smokers to switch to filter cigarettes, led to the lowering of tar and nicotine levels (Gori, 1976), perhaps making it easier for more recently recruited smokers to quit, and stimulated the militancy of nonsmokers for ordinances requiring nonsmoking sections in aircraft, restaurants, and so forth.…”

Expectancies and Mental Models as Determinants of Adolescents' Smoking Decisions

“…Numerous studies have applied the expectancy-value approach to tobacco use, and most have found expectancies (or attitudes defined in expectancy-value terms) to be important predictors of smoking intentions for both adults (e.g., Fishbein, 1982;Swinehart & Kirscht, 1966) and adolescents (e.g., Chassin et al, 1981;Chassin et al, 1984). Evidence linking expectancies to actual smoking behavior has been less consistent.…”

Expectancies and Mental Models as Determinants of Adolescents' Smoking Decisions

“…Empirical support,for expectancy-value models. Numerous studies have applied the expectancy-value approach to tobacco use, and most have found expectancies (or attitudes defined in expectancy-value terms) to be important predictors of smoking intentions for both adults (e.g., Fishbein, 1982;Swinehart & Kirscht, 1966) and adolescents (e.g., Chassin et al, 1981;Chassin et al, 1984). Evidence linking expectancies to actual smoking behavior has been less consistent.…”