The Working Group acknowledges that the following questions may gather sensitive information relating to the use of substances and/or illegal conduct. If the information is released it might be damagng to an individual’s employability, lead to social stigmatization, or other consequences.
For information on obtaining a Certificate of Confidentiality, which helps researchers protect the privacy of human research participants, please go to the National Human Genome Research Institute’s Institutional Review Board website.
Note to interviewer: Based on responses provided to earlier questions, the respondent may also be asked Questions 2, 3, and 4 (see interviewer notes before these questions).
1. Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?
(Note to interviewer: 100 CIGARETTES = APPROXIMATELY 5 PACKS)
[ ] 1 Yes
[ ] 2 No
[ ] Don’t Know / Refused
If Question 1 is "Yes" then respondent is asked:
2. Do you now smoke cigarettes every day, some days, or not at all?
[ ] 1 Every day
[ ] 2 Some days
[ ] 3 Not at all
[ ] Don’t Know / Refused
If Question 1 is "Yes" and Question 2 is "Some days" (Current Some-Day Smoker) or if Question 1 is "Yes" and Question 2 is "Not at all" (Former Smoker), then respondent is asked:
3. Have you EVER smoked cigarettes EVERY DAY for at least 6 months?
[ ] 1 Yes
[ ] 2 No
[ ] Don’t Know / Refused
Interpreting responses to assess smoking status of adults:
The respondents will answer a question about whether he or she has smoked at least 100 cigarettes (approximately five packs of cigarettes) in his or her lifetime. If he or she indicates that he or she has smoked at least 100 cigarettes, the respondent is queried about whether he or she now smokes every day or some days, or whether he or she is a former smoker. Lastly, if the respondent is a Current Some-Day or Former Smoker, the respondent is asked if he or she has ever smoked every day for at least 6 months.