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Abstract
This study determined evidence for digit preference in self-reports of smoking in
the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Subjects
were 4275 adult smokers. Self-reports of smoking showed a marked degree of digit preference,
with the vast majority of smokers reporting in multiples of 10 cigarettes per day.
When number per day was compared to an objective measure of smoking exposure (carboxyhemoglobin;
n = 2070) the distribution was found to be significantly assymetrical. Analysis of
the distribution of COHb and various levels of number per day indicates that the differences
in distribution are not due to variability in COHb. Heavier smokers, Caucasians, and
those with less education were more likely to report a digit preference than lighter
smokers. African-Americans, and those with more education. Results suggest that self-reports
of number of cigarettes per day may be biased towards round numbers (particularly
20 cigarettes per day). Implications for assessment of smoking behavior are discussed.