NHIS

List of Tobacco Use Topics, by Year

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Topics Table 1a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Smoking Status Recode: 1965-1995

Smoking Status Recode (cigarettes only) 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Current, Former, Never X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Everyday, Somedays, Former, Never X X X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 1b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Smoking Status Recode: 1997-2014

Smoking Status Recode (cigarettes only) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Current, Former, Never X X X X X X X
Everyday, Somedays, Former, Never X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 1c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Smoking Status Recode: 2015-2016

Smoking Status Recode (cigarettes only) 2015 2016 2017
Current, Former, Never
Everyday, Somedays, Former, Never X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 2a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Current Cigarette Smoker: 1965-1995

Current Cigarette Smoker 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Smoked at least 100 cigarettes X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Now smokes cigarettes (yes or no)1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X X X
Number of days smoked in past 30 days2 X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day3: now X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most X X X X
Type of cigarette4a X X X
Brand of cigarette4b X X
Time before first cigarette, after awakening X
Age first TRIED a cigarette X
Age first smoked fairly regularly or every day X X X X X X
Ever smoked every day5 X X X
Smoking status one year ago X X X X
Number of years (total) a regular smoker X X
Reasons for smoking X
Quitting:
Desire to quit smoking X X X
Believe you could quit X
Reasons for trying to quit X X X
Reasons for starting again X
Plans or intentions to quit X X X X
Ever tried to quit X X X X6 X X X X X
Tried to quit in past year X X X X
Number of quit attempts: past 12 months X X X X X
Number of quit attempts: lifetime X X X X
Time since last quit attempt X X X X X
Duration of last quit attempt X X X X X
Duration of longest quit attempt X
Quit methods: ever used X X
Quit methods: last used X X
Ever been asked not to smoke in a public place X
Smoking behavior in public places X

See footnotes

Topics Table 2b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Current Cigarette Smoker: 1997-2014

Current Cigarette Smoker 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Smoked at least 100 cigarettes X X X X X X X X X X X X X X  X X X X
Now smokes cigarettes (yes or no)1
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Number of days smoked in past 30 days2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day3: now X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most/longest X X
Type of cigarette4 X X
Brand of cigarette
Time before first cigarette, after awakening
Age first TRIED a cigarette
Age first smoked fairly regularly or every day X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Ever smoked every day5
Smoking status one year ago
Number of years (total) a regular smoker
Reasons for smoking
Quitting:
Desire to quit smoking X X  X
Believe you could quit
Reasons for trying to quit
Reasons for starting again
Plans or intentions to quit X X X
Ever tried to quit X X X
Tried to quit in past year X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Number of quit attempts: past 12 months
Number of quit attempts: lifetime X
Time since last quit attempt
Duration of last quit attempt
Duration of longest quit attempt
Quit methods: ever used
Quit methods: last used X X X
Ever been asked not to smoke in a public place
Smoking behavior in public places
Complementary Alternative Medicine Quit Methods X

See footnotes

Topics Table 2c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Current Cigarette Smoker: 2015-2017

Current Cigarette Smoker 2015 2016 2017
Smoked at least 100 cigarettes X X X
Now smokes cigarettes (yes or no)1
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X
Number of days smoked in past 30 days2 X X X
Number of cigarettes per day3: now X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most
Type of cigarette4a X
Brand of cigarette4b
Time before first cigarette, after awakening
Age first TRIED a cigarette X
Age first smoked fairly regularly or every day X X X
Ever smoked every day5
Smoking status one year ago
Number of years (total) a regular smoker
Reasons for smoking
Quitting:
Desire to quit smoking X
Believe you could quit
Reasons for trying to quit
Reasons for starting again
Plans or intentions to quit
Ever tried to quit X
Tried to quit in past year X X X
Number of quit attempts: past 12 months
Number of quit attempts: lifetime
Time since last quit attempt
Duration of last quit attempt
Duration of longest quit attempt
Quit methods: ever used
Quit methods: last used X
Ever been asked not to smoke in a public place
Smoking behavior in public places

See footnotes

Topics Table 3a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Former Cigarette Smoker: 1965-1995

Former Cigarette Smoker 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
How long since smoked regularly X X X X X X X X X X
How long since quit smoking X X X
Quit in past year (only if don’t know how long)
Number of cigarettes per day: usually or last smoked X X X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago X X
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most
Number of cigarettes per day: longest period smoked
Number of times stopped or tried to stop: lifetime X X
Longest period off cigarettes prior to last quitting X
Number of years (total) were a regular or daily smoker X X
Age quit smoking X
Ever smoked every day5 X X
Smoking status one year ago X
Time before first cigarette after awakening X
Type of cigarette smoked
Brand usually smoked X
Quit methods: ever used6 X X X
Quit methods: last used X X
Reasons for quitting X X X
Believe smoking affected your health X

See footnotes

Topics Table 3b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Former Cigarette Smoker: 1997-2014

Former Cigarette Smoker 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
How long since smoked regularly
How long since quit smoking X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Quit in past year (only if don’t know how long) X X X X X X X
Number of cigarettes per day: usually or last smoked X X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most
Number of cigarettes per day: longest period smoked X X
Number of times stopped or tried to stop: lifetime X
Longest period off cigarettes prior to last quitting
Number of years (total) were a regular or daily smoker
Age quit smoking
Ever smoked every day5
Smoking status one year ago
Time before first cigarette after awakening
Type of cigarette smoked X X
Brand usually smoked
Quit methods: ever used6
Quit methods: last used X X X
Reasons for quitting
Believe smoking affected your health

See footnotes

Topics Table 3c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Former Cigarette Smoker: 2015-2017

Former Cigarette Smoker 2015 2016 2017
How long since smoked regularly
How long since quit smoking X X X
Quit in past year (only if don’t know how long)
Number of cigarettes per day: usually or last smoked X
Number of cigarettes per day: 12 months ago
Number of cigarettes per day: when smoked most X
Number of cigarettes per day: longest period smoked X
Number of times stopped or tried to stop: lifetime
Longest period off cigarettes prior to last quitting
Number of years (total) were a regular or daily smoker
Age quit smoking
Ever smoked every day5
Smoking status one year ago
Time before first cigarette after awakening
Type of cigarette smoked X
Brand usually smoked
Quit methods: ever used6
Quit methods: last used X
Reasons for quitting
Believe smoking affected your health

See footnotes

Topics Table 4a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Cigars: 1965-1995

Cigars 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Ever smoked any X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} cigars7 X X X X X X
Now smokes X X X X X X
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X
Number of days per month smoke cigars8: now X X
Number of cigars smoke: now X X X X
Number of cigars smoked: 12 months ago X
Size of cigars currently smoke X
Age first smoked X
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9 X
How long since smoked cigars X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 4b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Cigars: 1997-2014

Cigars 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Ever smoked any X X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} cigars7 X X X
Now smokes
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X X
Number of days per month smoke 8: now X X X X
Number of cigars smoke: now
Number of cigars smoked: 12 months ago
Size of cigars currently smoke
Age first smoked cigars
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9
How long since smoked cigars

See footnotes

Topics Table 4c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Cigars: 2015-2017

Cigars 2015 2016 2017
Ever smoked any X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} cigars7 X
Now smokes
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X
Number of days per month smoke cigars8: now X X X
Number of cigars smoke: now
Number of cigars smoked: 12 months ago
Size of cigars currently smoke
Age first smoked
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9
How long since smoked cigars

See footnotes

Topics Table 5a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pipes: 1965-1995

Pipes 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Ever smoked any X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} pipes7 X X X X X X
Now smokes X X X X X X
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X
Number of days per month smoke a pipe: now X X
Number of pipefuls smoke: now X X X X
Number of pipefuls smoked: 12 months ago X
Age first smoked X
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9 X
How long since smoked a pipe X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 5b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pipes: 1997-2014

Pipes 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Ever smoked any X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} pipes7 X X X
Now smokes
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X
Number of days per month smoke: now X X
Number of pipefuls smoke: now
Number of pipefuls smoked: 12 months ago
Age first smoked a pipe
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9
How long since smoked a pipe

See footnotes

Topics Table 5c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pipes: 2015-2017

Pipes 2015 2016 2017
Ever smoked any X X X
Ever smoked at least {#} pipes7
Now smokes
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X X
Number of days per month smoke a pipe: now
Number of pipefuls smoke: now
Number of pipefuls smoked: 12 months ago
Age first smoked
Total number of years or months smoked: lifetime 9
How long since smoked a pipe

See footnotes

Topics Table 6a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Bidis: 1965-1995

Bidis 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Ever smoked
Ever smoked 20 bidis in lifetime
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all

See footnotes

Topics Table 6b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Bidis: 1997-2014
Bidis 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Ever smoked X X
Ever smoked 20 bidis in lifetime X X
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 6c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Bidis: 2015-2017

Bidis 2015 2016 2017
Ever smoked
Ever smoked 20 bidis in lifetime
Now smokes every day, some days, not at all

See footnotes

Topics Table 7a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Chewing Tobacco and Snuff: 1965-1995

Chewing Tobacco & Snuff 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Ever used X X X X
Ever used 20 times X X X X
Now uses any X X X X X X
Now uses every day, some days, not at all X
Number of days per month X X
Amount used on days used X X
Age of first use X
Number of years or months used in lifetime X X
Method of snuff use X X
Ever advised to stop using X
Brand

See footnotes

Topics Table 7b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Chewing Tobacco and Snuff: 1997-2014

Chewing Tobacco & Snuff 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Ever used X X X X X X
Ever used 20 times X X X X
Now uses any
Now uses every day, some days, not at all X X X X X X X
Number of days per month8 X
Amount used on days used X
Age of first use
Number of years or months used in lifetime
Method of snuff use
Ever advised to stop using
Brand X

See footnotes

Topics Table 7c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Chewing Tobacco and Snuff: 2015-2017

Chewing Tobacco and Snuff 2015 2016 2017
Ever used X X X
Ever used 20 times X
Now uses any
Now uses every day, some days, not at all X X X
Number of days per month X
Amount used on days used
Age of first use
Number of years or months used in lifetime
Method of snuff use
Ever advised to stop using X
Brand X

See footnotes

Topics Table 8. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Non-specific tobacco use: 2012-2017

Non-specific tobacco use 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Ever smoked tobacco products other than cigarettes X X X
Current non-cigarette tobacco smoker X X X
Any tobacco use one year ago X X X
Quit use of all tobacco products in past 12 months X X X

[Not asked prior to 2012]
See footnotes

Topics Table 9a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pregnancy and Cigarette Smoking: 1965-1995

Pregnancy & Cigarette Smoking 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Smoking when became pregnant
Smoked any time during {last} pregnancy X X X
Smoking in past 30 days X
Smoked during most of pregnancy X X
Amount smoked before or after learned of pregnancy X X
Quitting:
Ever advised to quit X X
Quit smoking any time during pregnancy/month quit X
Stayed quit or started again X
Started again after birth of child X

See footnotes

Topics Table 9b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pregnancy and Cigarette Smoking: 1997-2014

Pregnancy & Cigarette Smoking 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Smoking when became pregnant X X
Smoked any time during {last} pregnancy X X X
Smoking in past 30 days
Smoked during most of pregnancy
Amount smoked before or after learned of pregnancy
Quitting:
Ever advised to quit
Quit smoking any time during pregnancy/month quit X X X
Stayed quit or started again X X X
Started again after birth of child

See footnotes

Topics Table 9c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Pregnancy and Cigarette Smoking: 2015-2017

Pregnancy and Cigarette Smoking 2015 2016 2017
Smoking when became pregnant X
Smoked any time during {last} pregnancy X
Smoking in past 30 days X
Smoked during most of pregnancy
Amount smoked before or after learned of pregnancy
Quitting:
Ever advised to quit
Quit smoking any time during pregnancy/month quit X
Stayed quit or started again X
Started again after birth of child

See footnotes

Topics Table 10a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS): 1965-1995

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Response when exposed to ETS in public places X X
Smoking anywhere inside the home by ANYONE X X X X
Smoking anywhere inside the home by RESIDENT X X
Number of people who smoke inside the home X X
Days per week there is smoking inside the home X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 10b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS): 1997-2014

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Response when exposed to ETS in public places
Smoking anywhere inside the home by ANYONE X X
Smoking anywhere inside the home by RESIDENT X X
Number of people who smoke inside the home X X
Days per week there is smoking inside the home X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 10c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS): 2015-2017

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) 2015 2016 2017
Response when exposed to ETS in public places
Smoking anywhere inside the home by ANYONE
Smoking anywhere inside the home by RESIDENT
Number of people who smoke inside the home
Days per week there is smoking inside the home

See footnotes

Topics Table 11a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Other Tobacco-Related Topics: 1965-1995

Other Tobacco-Related Topics 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Knowledge of health risks of smoking X X X X
Knowledge of health risks of smokeless tobacco X X
Knowledge of health risks of ETS X X
Attitudes toward or discomfort around smoking X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 11b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Other Tobacco-Related Topics: 1997-2014

Other Tobacco-Related Topics 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Knowledge of health risks of smoking
Knowledge of health risks of smokeless tobacco
Knowledge of health risks of ETS X
Attitudes toward or discomfort around smoking X

See footnotes

Topics Table 11c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Other Tobacco-Related Topics: 2015-2017

Other Tobacco-Related Topics 2015 2016 2017
Knowledge of health risks of smoking
Knowledge of health risks of smokeless tobacco
Knowledge of health risks of ETS
Attitudes toward or discomfort around smoking

See footnotes

Topics Table 12a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Medical Surveillance: 1965-1995

Medical Surveillance10 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Asked about smoking by a doctor X X
Advised to quit smoking by health professional X X X X X X X
Type of medical professional who advised quitting
Advised to quit smoking due to specific condition X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 12b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Medical Surveillance: 1997-2014

Medical Surveillance10 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Asked about smoking by a health professional X X X X X X
Advised to quit smoking by health professional X X X X
Type of medical professional who advised quitting X X
Advised to quit due to specific condition
Use of alternative medicine X X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 12c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Medical Surveillance: 2015-2017

Medical Surveillance 2015 2016 2017
Asked about smoking by a doctor X X X
Advised to quit smoking by health professional X
Type of medical professional who advised quitting X
Advised to quit smoking due to specific condition

See footnotes

Topics Table 13a. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Workplace Smoking: 1965-1995

Workplace Smoking 1965 1966 1970 1974 1976 1977 1978-1980 1983 1985 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Workplace smoking policy X X X X X X
Ever smoke while at work X X
Smoke fewer cigarettes due to workplace policy X X
Exposure to smoke in the workplace X X X X
Bothered by workplace ETS X X X
Workplace offers quit smoking program X X X X
Participated in employer-based quit smoking program X X

See footnotes

Topics Table 13b. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Workplace Smoking: 1997-2014

Workplace Smoking 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Workplace smoking policy X X
Ever smoke while at work
Smoke fewer cigarettes due to workplace policy
Exposure to smoke in the workplace X
Bothered by workplace ETS
Workplace offers quit smoking program X
Participated in employer-based quit smoking program X

See footnotes

Topics Table 13c. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Adult Tobacco Use Topics. Workplace Smoking: 2015-2017

Workplace Smoking 2015 2016 2017
Workplace smoking policy
Ever smoke while at work
Smoke fewer cigarettes due to workplace policy
Exposure to smoke in the workplace X
Bothered by workplace ETS
Workplace offers quit smoking program
Participated in employer-based quit smoking program

See footnotes

1 In 1965 and 1966, the question was asked but the variable was not included on the data file. Information from a follow-up question (number of cigarettes currently smoked) serves to identify current smokers in these years. In 1992, questions about current smoking status were asked in two ways in a split sample experiment. The original “Do you smoke now?” question was asked in the Cancer Control questionnaire and followed by a question asking about smoking every day or some days. The “Do you smoke every day, some days, or not at all?” question was asked in the Cancer Epidemiology questionnaire and became the standard smoking question from 1993 forward.

2 Asked only of adults who said they smoked “some days.”

3 For someday smokers the question asked about number of cigarettes on days smoked.

4a Information about type {size/filter or non-filter/plain or menthol/hard or soft pack} varies by year. See questionnaires for details.

4b “At the request of NHIS data users, the brand names and types of cigarettes associated with previously released NHIS tobacco smoking files, are being released to the public as separate listings.” Tobacco Brand

5 In 1992, the question was limited to ever smoked every day for at least 6 months.

6 In 1983, the question asked about quit methods ever used in the past 5 years only.

7 The minimum number of pipefuls of tobacco and minimum number of cigars vary by year. See questionnaires for details.

8 In some years, question was phrased in terms of the past 30 days. See questionnaires for details.

9 Asked of both current and former tobacco users.

10Beginning in 1992, questions related to medical surveillance were expanded from cigarette smoking only to include cigarette smoking and other tobacco use.

Page last reviewed: August 29, 2017