Ethnic similarities and differences in reasons for smoking

We examined reasons for smoking among Black and White smokers. We hypothesized that Blacks would be more likely than Whites to cite tension reduction and less likely to cite weight control as a reason for smoking. Black (n = 100) and White (n = 100) female smokers completed the Reasons for Smoking Scale and the Smoking Situations Questionnaire. Regardless of treatment status, Blacks and Whites differed in their reasons for smoking [F(6, 191) = 2.24; p < .05]. Blacks, as compared to Whites, less strongly endorsed weight concern as a reason for smoking [F(1, 198) = 6.10; p < .05]. Results failed to reveal differences in tension reduction, stimulation, handling, relaxation, addiction, and habit as a function of ethnicity. Results suggest that Blacks and Whites exhibit more similarity than difference in their reasons for smoking.