Women's Collection from Marketing to Counter-Marketing
Subject: Why People Start To Smoke
Abstract
Suggests important predisposing factors to smoking initiation including: parental and sibling smoking, peer pressure, status and self-esteem needs, and that most smokers begin smoking between ages 10-18. Defines a type of non-smoker who is surrounded by the smoking environment, yet takes a militant anti-smoking stance. Explains motivations for smoking, which do not usually include taste.
Fields
- Type
- Memorandum
- Report
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Gender
- Gender mentioned, differentiation possible
- Author
- Udow, Al
- Recipient
- Morgan, J. J.
- Copied
- Budne, T. A.
- Holbert, N. B.
- Mazzitelli, D.
- Daniel, H.
- Johnston, M.
- Holbert, N. B.
- Named Person
- Goldsmith, Cliff
- Horn, Daniel
- Matarazzo, Joseph D.
- Hochbaum
- Diehl, Harold S.
- Horn, David
- Meyer, Alan
- Friedman, Lucy
- Lazarsfeld, Paul
- Kozlowski, Lynn T.
- Harford, Margi
- Bynner
- Brand, Gruber
- Horn, Daniel
- Named Organization
- National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health
- American Cancer Society
- The Encyclopedia Americana
- The Yankelovich organization
- American Cancer Society
- Region
- Great Britain
- Thesaurus Term
- Smoking Initiation
- Youth
- Research Studies
- Youth
Document Images
ot0s
PHILIP MORRIS U.S.A.
INTER -OFFICf CORRESPONDENCE
100 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
we should have this information at our disposal, this document
summarizes the data available, and cites references.
Cliff Goldsmith's question on why people start to smoke. Because
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At the end of last week I gave you some material intended to answer
smoking tend to rely on the statistical work of Daniel Horn and the
National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health. Others offer opinions
There are surprisingly few hard facts on the question of the
initiation of smoking. Most of those who write on the subject of
without sources or data to back them up.
(1968).
written widely on smoking. He is the primary author of the entry
on smoking in The International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
Joseph Di. Matarazzo, of the University of Oregon Medical School has
The best summary of the situationimay be an entry by Matarazzo. -
His summary of the factors involved in the initiation of smo'king is as
follows:
These studies consistently have identified pare_ntal smoking
as one of the most important predisposing fac o i.n smo~~~ing
'among school-age children. As mentioned above, most smokers
appear tolhave begun smoking between the ages of 10 and 18.
.If both parents smoke, the probability that their children
will begin to smoke is several times that of children with
nonsmoking,parents. When only one parent smokes, the incidence
of smoking among the offspring falls midway between that of the
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The relationship of some other sociopersonal factors to initiation
of the smoking,habit is less clear-cut. In general, the studies
suggest that youngsters' beginning to smoke is related to: (a) .
-curiosity about smoking; (b) conformity pressures among adolescent"s;
(c) need for status among peers, including self-perceived failure
to achieve peer-group status or satisfaction; (d) the need forr
self-assurance; and' (e) striving,for adult status (see the revie0s `A
by Hochbaum 1964; Horn 1'963). However, it is difficult to measure
the strength,of suchineeds, as well as their relative influence,
and therefore these relationships should be considered tentative.
other two groups. Published data also suggest a higher frequency
of smoking among children withiolder siblings who smoke.

The basis for his, and many other statements is a publication of
The National Clearinghouse for Smoking,and Health (1972) whichi
reported on two surveys of teenagers, numbering 4931 in 1968 and!2640
in 1972. Their conclusions are based largely on statistical inference.
The report concludes:
While there are many factors in the environment of the child
that influence h~is taking up, or not taking up, the smokingg
habit, the one that has by far the most influence is the
smoking behavior of those around him ...
In householdis where both parents are present, the teenager is
much more likely to be a smoker if the parents smoke. In fact,
if both parents smoke, the teenager has about twice the likeli-
hood of being a smoker than if neither parent smokes; the rates
are 18.4% and' 9.8% respectively. Those with one parent who
smokes fall in between, with a rate of 13.8% ...
We find'a striking relationship between the behavior of the
older members of the family and that of the younger members.
In homes where both parents are present, boys with an older
brother or sister are twice as likely to smoke if one or more
of the old'er siblings smoke than if none smoke (30.0% and 13.1%).
The reliationship is even stronger among girls, with a four to one
ratio;, 24.8% of girls with one or more smoking,older siblings
are smokers while only 51.6% of those with older siblings, none
of whom smoke, have takeniup the habit.
Whenithe combined effect of smoking of parents andiolder siblings
is considered', the concept of family patterns is reinforced. The
lowest level of smoking is found among teenagers who live in house-
holds where both parents are present and neither smokes, and who
have older siblings, none of whom smoke. Less than one in twenty
have become regular smokers (4.2%). This compares with one in four
(24.9%) in families with at least one parent and one older sibling
who smoke. The older sibling,, as would~be expected, is more likely
to smoke if he has a parent who smokes. It is impossible to determine
precisel'y what are the relative effects of parental andisibling smoking
on the teenager. However, we do see that he is more likely to smoke
if the older sibling smokes andithe parent does not than if the :
parent smokes and the older sibling does not. We cannot discount the
influence of either; they interact with each other, and as they do,
the family pattern is established.
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Harold S'. Diehl, M.D. (1969), of the American Cancer Society quotes
liberally fromiDavid Horniof the National Clearinghouse for Smoking and
Health. Much of what he says is stated authoritatively without source
or supporting data.
"For children who see their parents, teachers, other adults,
/ and older brothers and sisters smoking,, the desire to be like
them, to be grown-up, constitutes a strong incentive to try it
themselves. Studies show that children are much more likely to
smoke if their parents smoke." (No source givern).
v"Many boys and girls start smoking to show their independence, as
a symbol of revolt against authority, to feel sophisticated and
grown-up, to be "one of the crowd", to gain social status, to have
something to do." (No source giveni)
"The advertisers of cigarettes.exploit this urge by creating an
image of a smoker as an outstanding athlete; a handsome, virile
outdoor man; a nonchalant campus leader; a man who succeeds; a
sophisticated, charming young woman." (No source given).
"For some smokers the motions and movements associatedlwith
smoking,seem to have a soothing, pleasurable effect, similar
to the chewing of tasteless objects such as pencils, straws, or
chewing gum after the flavor is gone. It alsolseems that some of the
satisfaction derived from smoking - particularly of pipOs and cigars
is related to watching the smoke. Few people enjioy smoking in the
dark, and blind men rarely smoke.
For persons who are self-conscious and insecure smoking provides
an activity and something to do withitheir hands that takes their
minds off themselves. Many accept the image creatediby cigarette
advertisements of cigarette smoking as a symbol of poise, self-
confidence, and'.social success. But once one becomes dependent
upon cigarettes, habituation or addiction are impelling drives to
continue." (No source given).
Dr. Daniel Horn, Director of the National Clearinghouse for Smoking
and Health:, says that people smoke cigarettes for one or more of the,
following,reasons: (1) for stimulation, such as to get started in
the morning; (2) because of addiction; this smoker "must have"'a
cigarette after a certain amount of time has elapsed; (3') to reduce
negative feelings, such as distress, anger, or fear; (4) out of
habit - a behavior pattern followed almost involuntarily; (5)' for
oral gratification - the satisfaction derived from something-in'the,
mouth; and (6) for pleasurable relaxation - to enhance positive '
feelings, suchias after a good dinner.
3.

A paper by Meyer, Friedman and Lazarsfeld' (1972) given before the
Conference on MotivationiMechanism of Cigarette Smoking provides
some qualitative insight into the initiation of'smokimg which may
be abstracted as follows:
,/Many smokers, particularly "tahite collar" started in rebellion
against their parents. Another theme is that of emulating friends
and relatives. Peers provide especially important role models to
emulate and partners with whom to rebel.
The theory is offered that wheniyoungsters of smokers start to smoke,
they are helping to deny that their parents are in danger. Also,
when offspring of smokers take up the practice themselves, they are
striking back at their parents' hypocrisy, and at the same time, making
a connection with them.
The Encyclopedia Americana (1969) says that the way smoking begins is
not fully understood, and then attempts to explain it:
The beginning of smoking andithe processes by which it
becomes a habit are complex and not fully understood. In
large part, the habit stems from psychological and social
drives; the individual smoker does what others around him do.
Physiological and possibly constitutional' factors may play
a lesser role. There is little doubt that the physiological
effects strengthen the habit. Nicotine, one of the many
substances pharmacologically active in tobacco smoke, exerts
its effects on the heart and the nervous system in particular.
Smoking of one or two cigarettes causes an increase in the
heart rate and a slight rise in blood pressure. The effect oni
the nervous system is predominantly tranquilizing and relaxing,.
Relationships betweenismokirng and a number of psychosocial and
economic variables are apparent, but no simple explanation is
evident. It is obvious, however, that smoking as a behaviar has
become interwoven with the complex culture andi environment of
mo '~e n society.
Start of the Habit. The smoking pattern is established'relatively
early. Before 12 years of age less than 5 Fercent of boys and
1 percent of girls smoke, but soon thereafter a steady increase
begins:. In the 12th grade, from.40 to 55 percent of children are '
smokers, and by the age of 25 years about 6C percent of men and
36 percent of women have acquired the habit. The increase in
the percentage of smokers continues into the fourth decade of life;
Among
the reasons why children take up the habit are their desire ,
for
adult status and their need t&confor;:r to sccial pressures exerted by
other children. Inistriving for status and self-assurance, children
y may imitate their parents or famous people. The association between
the smoking,habits of parents and children is strong andi many-sided.
More childrenismoke in families where both parents smoke than in
families where-fieither parent smokes. In adolescent and adult life,
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similar factors involving,the individual's~need and' his
environment appear to play a role in the beginning of smoking.
Although no differences in intelligence between smoking,and
nonsmoking children have been established, smokers are more
frequent among those who fall behind in scholastic achievement.
Personality and Other Factors. No clearly defined "smoker's
personality" has been establishe . Furt ermore, no personality
characteris ic is found'exc usively in either the smoker or the
nonsmoker. Certain personality factors - among them extroversion,
neuroticism, and'd increased psychosomatic complaints - have been found!
to be slightly more common in smokers.
Stressful situations occurring in an environment favorable to smoking
may contribute to the starting of the smokinD, habit, as well as to its
continuation. For instance, some men begin smoking in the tense days
of their first job. Smokers consistently report that they tend to
smoke more when under tension.
Bothimore smokers andimore early starters are foundlin the unskilled
working classes. White collas, professional, managerial, and
technical occupations contain fewer smokers thanicraftsmen, sales
persons, and laborers~. Smokers are reportedito change jobs more often
than nonsmokers. Another socioeconomic factor, income does not seem
to be as consistently and positively related to prevalence of smoking,
as to the quantity of cigarettes consumed. A relationship does exist
betweenismoking and educational level, but it seems likely that this
relationship is really based on occupation, b2cause those occupations
associated wiithihigher education usually show a smaller prevalence of
smokers.
1/*1ocial pressures undoubtedly delayed the acquisition of the smoking
habit by women. Increased cigarette consumption by women began in
the 1920's, and the rate rose rapidly during and after World War II.
Although the habit has been prevalent among women for a shorter period'~,
the percentage of women who smoke ha~s been increasing,faster than the
percentage of men who smoke.
Kozlowski an
based on 560
that the imp d ltarford (unpublished!) cite a 1959 Britishistudy by Bynner
1 adolescent sch©ol boys in Great Britain which concludes
ortant influences that lead to the initiation of smoking are: r
(1) number of friendis who smoke
(2) anticipation of adult-hood
(3) parentali permi,ssiveness toward smoking
(4.): whether or not deterred froni smoking by dan;;er ~f lung cuncer
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6.
The Yankelovich organization (1976) undertook alstudy for the American Cancer
Society by means of in depth interviews with 826 teenagers and young women.
Their conclusions about the teen-age smoker suggest some correlates (though not
exactly reasons) of the beginning of smoking. They say:
The Profile of the Teen-age Girl Smoker:
The profile of the teen-age girl smoker counters the image of alsocially
i11-at-ease youngster turning to cigarettes as a means of being thought
of as more sophisticated or as a needed prop for handl!ing social situations.
Instead, it is the teen-age girl smoker who is at ease socially, very put
together, and with full confidence in herself. Parties andisocial gather-
ings are her metier. One measure of both her sophistication and her value
structure is the fact that 31% have already had sl?xual relations.
It is instead the nonsmoker who tends to be quiet,~r, far less self-assured,
more involved with athletics, school activities rnd clubs -- but more
likely in her spare time to be reading or watchinF; television.
Rebelliousness and Smoking:
Cigarette smoking,among teenage girls, however, does appear to be
highly identified with an antiauthority rebelliou:, syndrome. Among
teen-age girl!s who smoke 25% use marijuana regularly compared'. to 3%
of the nonsmokers; 81'% of the smokers drink and'.3::% drink at times to
get drunk compared to 42% of the nonsmokers who dirink or 4% who drink
to get drunk. One out of four teenage girl smokers have run away from
home eompared tol10a of the nonsmokers. Despite i.he widespread
acceptance of cigarettes, and the acknowledgement of smoking by parents _
and school authorities, the old "wood'e shed"' image of cigarette smoking,
lingers on -- while the concept of not smoking of nonconformity or
rebellion against advertising, big business, society, has not yet caught on.
Teen-age Girl Smokers an&Peer Relationships:
Peer relationships, long,identified as a major factor in teen-age smoking,
continue to operate as a dominant influence. Teen-age girl smokers flock
together and have more respect for the opinions of their own peers than for
authorities. There is, however, an opposite side to the story as well.
For the current study indicates that all teen-age girl nonsmokers are not. ;
homogenous but rather divide into two almost equal groups. It is easy to
explain why over half of the nonsmokers:(55%) do not smoke -- for they
are not influenced'.by the new values, but are very traditional in their
views and outlook. They are strongly religious and respectful of authority --
and they shy away from their peers~who smo'.e,, use marijuana and are part of
the new values. The other group of nonsmoking teEn-agers are very'diife'rent --
for they share many of the same values as the smokers -- and are highly Jexposed to the total'
smoking,environment. We call them the "Vulmerables" j
for, on the surface, they appear to be ready candidates for the next wave ~
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of new smokers. one out of two of the "Vulnerables" report that half -
or more of their male friends smoke; a third indicate that most of
the girl friends smoke. A majority have one or more parents who smoke.
They see more women smoking now than in the past. Yet they do not smoke.
Instea&they have found consciously or unconsciously, some strong
barriers to smoking. These are - the importance of being in control
of one's own life; and emphasis on physical fitness and well-being;
concern about the addictive nature of cigarettes, and perhaps most of all,
by becoming militant antismokers - people who are angered by other
smokers, upset by smoke filled rooms and ready for increase®ulation
of smoking. In other words, they are finding a cause -- and a new peer
identification.
Information on the motivation that leads to a continuation of smoking comes from
a special study done for Philip Morris (Brand, 19'71).Smokers first answered the
question "4Thy do you smoke" with platitudes such as:
-- gives me something to do with my hands
-- relieves tensions
-- goes well with a social drink
-- settles my stomach after a heavy meal
-- helps me to relax
-- just an automatic habit
-- keeps my weight down
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But on deeper probing, the circumstances inwhich smoking occurs may be generalized
as follows:
1. As a narcotic, tranquilizer, or sedative. Smokers regularly use
cigarettes at times of stress.
At the beginning or ending of a basic activity.
This wouldicover such activities as entering or leaving,a room,
starting or finishing a job, going into a party or leaving one,
starting,a telephone conversation or a personal visit.
3. Automatic smoking behavior.
Heavy smokers, particularly, light up at intervals without much
thought, and often without realizing what they are doing.
It should be noted' that there was scarcely any unprompted reference toismoking for
"'taste", or "flavor", until it was suggested -- andl tl~ien everyone agreed that it
was the major element in smoking satisfaction. ='
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References
Brand!, Gzuber Co.: The Perceptual Context of Smoking. October 1971
D3;ehl, Harold S, M.D.: Tobacco and Your Health, rlcGraw-Hill 1969
Encyclopedia Americana, 1968 edition
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, Macmillan, 1968
Kozlowski, Lynn~T and Harford, Margi: On the Significance of the
Never User of a Drug, an Example from Cigarette Smoking
(unpublished manuscript)
hteyer, Alan, Friedtnan, Lucy and Lazarsfeld, Paul: Perceptions and'
Receptions of the Anti-smoking campaign. A report to
the Conference on the Motivation, .Sechanismiof Cigarette
Smoking, 1972
National Clearinghouse for Smoking,and Health: Teenage Smoking
Pub. 72-7508, 1972'
Yankelovich, Skelly and!j,lhite Inc.: A Study about Cigarette Smoking
Among Teenage Girls and Young Women
