Day-to-Day Variability in Self-Reported Cigarettes Per Day.
OBJECTIVE
Nicotine addiction theory predicts small day-to-day variability in cigarettes/day (CPD) whereas social learning theory predicts large variability. A description of the variability in CPD over multiple days is not available.


METHODS
We conducted secondary analyses of two natural history studies with daily smokers-one of smokers not intending to quit, and one of smokers intending to quit sometime in the next 3 months. In the former, smokers recorded their smoking during the day by Ecological Momentary Assessment, using a palm-top computer. In the latter, participants reported CPD nightly via a phone Interactive Voice Response system. Analyses were based on smokers who reported averaging ≥10 CPD, and on days in which there was no attempt to stop or reduce smoking.


RESULTS
Across the two studies, on average, smokers had small changes in day-to-day CPD (mean changes were 2.2 and 2.9 CPD). However a minority averaged changing by ≥5 CPD from one day to the next (7% and 11%), and many changed by ≥5 CPD on at least 10 of the 90 days (8% and 31%). Neither smoking restrictions, dependence, stereotypy ratings, nor interest in quitting predicted variability.


CONCLUSIONS
Although on average, smokers have little change day-to-day CPD, a substantial minority of smokers often change by 5 CPD from day-to-day. We did not find potential causes of this variability.


CONCLUSIONS
Across day variability in CPD is larger than implied in prior studies. Determining causes of day-to-day variability should increase our understanding of the determinants of smoking.
Vermont Center on Health and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
John R
JR
Hughes
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Saul
S
Shiffman
Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Shelly
S
Naud
Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, Battelle Memorial Institute, Baltimore, MD.
Erica N
EN
Peters
D006801:Humans; D057566:Self Report; D000074285:Smokers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000073869:Tobacco Smoking; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*