Physical dependence and attributions of addiction among cigarette smokers

Examination of the attitudes and attributions of cigarette smokers has differentiated smokers who believe their behavior is a "sickness" from those who believe they are "hooked." Among other things, the hooked smoker, more than the sick one, believes they are addicted and their chances of stopping smoking are poor. If there is a causal association between the attribution of addiction and perceived prospects of change, as this suggests, it could mean treatment and preventative programs stressing the addictive nature of cigarettes may be counterproductive. However, the present study, using a survey of 105 male and female smokers from the general population, suggests the attribution of addiction is related to a smoker's estimate of their chances of stopping only through a common association that each of these measures has with actual (not necessarily perceived) physical dependence. Caution is needed in the application of cognitive research when related physical measures have not been included in the research design.