Factors Associated with Students\u27 Motivation to Participate in Social Smoking and to Identify as a Social Smoker

The objective of this study is to discover the factors that motivate college students to participate in social smoking, specifically cigarettes, and why and how they come to define themselves as social smokers. Previous research suggests that social smokers do not smoke so much for the intake of nicotine but rather they smoke to feel more at ease in their social situation. Research has also found that gender identity is related to individuals\u27 smoking decisions. For example female smokers attempt to avoid stigma by restricting their consumption and purchase of cigarettes. They also engage in smoker\u27s etiquette when bumming a cigarette in a social setting. This study will expand upon current research by giving a unique and in-depth look into a social smoking in a particular college community. I will conduct approximately 20 interviews with individuals who define themselves as a social smoker or a regular smoker. It is imporant to also understand the perspective of those who are regular smokers. Their observations and interactions with social smokers can bring to the surface new theories and possible answers to my research question. The interview questions go from general to specific, and convey who the participants are in terms of their background, and positions on certain issues. They also allow for a more in-depth understanding of why students engage in social smoking. I will ask some participants why they define themselves as social smokers and for participants who identify as a regular smoker I will ask them what their perception is of social smokers. The goal is to encourage participants to reveal their stories and experiences and reveal new sub groups that otherwise may have been overlooked