Health beliefs and smoking behavior.

Abstract

Smoking histories and beliefs about smoking were obtained on 120 ex- and current smokers. Ex-smokers view smoking as a serious health problem, did not report having a physician recommend they stop, and feel personally susceptible to its adverse effects. Moderate smokers (0-10/day) also view smoking as serious, but do not see themselves as vulnerable to its adverse effects. The data suggest that certain attitudes can discriminate between groups of current smokers, as well as smokers from ex-smokers.