Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults aged 18 and over who have ever smoked a regular cigar, cigarillo, or little filtered cigar (CIGAREV) and currently smoke a cigar or cigarillo some days or not at all (CIGARFREQNOW equal to 2 or 3), CIGARDAYSMO reports on how many of the past 30 days the person smoked a cigar. CIGARDAYSMO reports how many of the past 30 days the person smoked a cigar for sample adults aged 18 and over who currently smoke cigars some days (or it is unknown if they smoke some days) in 2000-2015, and for sample persons aged 18 and older who did not complete the CAEP supplement and who had ever smoked at least 50 cigars in their entire life in 1987 and 1992. In 1987 and 1992, the question was phrased " on the average, how many days per month do you smoke cigars?" rather than the number in the past 30 days.
In 1987, the Field Representative's Manual noted to include "cigarillos." In 2000 and 2005 the Manuals provided a more descriptive definition of cigar: "small, thin cigars that are wrapped in tobacco leaf rather than paper. In English, that includes the little cigars called "cigarillos". In Spanish, cigars are called 'cigaros,' 'puritos,' or 'chicos,' but do not include "cigarillos de papel" because that means cigarettes. They can be made by machine or hand-rolled." However, these definitions of a cigar were not routinely given to persons.
The 2015-forward Field Representative's Manual defines "Cigars include the little cigars called 'cigarillos' in English, along with little filtered cigars. In Spanish, 'cigars' are called 'puro regular,' 'cigarillos' are called 'un puro tipo cigarrito,' and 'little filtered cigars' are called 'puro pequeños filtrados'. Do NOT include 'cigarrillos' as cigars when conducting a Spanish interview because 'cigarrillos' means 'cigarettes' in Spanish."
Comparability
Apart from changes in the universe, this variable is mostly comparable for 1987 forward. However, there were changes in the responses recognized between the 1992 and 2000 surveys. The earlier surveys (1987 and 1992) included categories of "less than one day a month" and "every day," in addition to the person's verbatim report of the number of days smoked cigars. For 2000 forward, only one category ("none") was used, instead of "less than one day a month," along with the verbatim response to the number of days. Though the definition was made more explicit in 2000 and forward, these definitions were not routinely shared with persons, so the term "cigar" would typically be person-defined in all surveys.
The introduction of a substantially revised questionnaire in 2019 may affect comparability with earlier years. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.
Universe
- 1987: Half of sample persons age 18+ (excluded from CAEP supplement) who ever smoked cigars and have smoked at least 50 cigars.
- 1992: Half of sample persons age 18+ in quarters 1 and 2, and in 2 weeks of quarter 3 (excluded from CAEP supplement) who ever smoked cigars, have smoked at least 50 cigars and smoke cigars now.
- 2000; 2005: Sample adults age 18+ who ever smoked a cigar and now smoke cigars some days or refused/not ascertained/don't know how much now smoke cigars.
- 2010; 2015: Sample adults 18+ who smoke a cigar some days or refused or don't know current cigar smoking status.
- 2016-2018: Sample adults 18+ who now smoke a regular cigar, cigarillo, or little filtered cigar some days or not at all.
- 2019-2023: Sample adults 18+ who now smoke a regular cigar, cigarillo, or little filtered cigar some days or not at all.
Availability
- 1987, 1992, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015-2023
Weights
- 1987, 1992, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT
