Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample persons age 18 and over (for 1993) and have ever used snuff at least 20 times (for 1987, 1991-1992, and 1994), and those over age 17 for 1970, this variable indicates if the respondent used snuff at the time of the survey.
In 1987, the Field Representative's Manual defined snuff as a, "smokeless tobacco product that is either inhaled through the nostrils or placed in the mouth between the cheeks and gum or under the tongue. A common term for snuff use is "dipping." It add that this definition was for the interviewer's information only, and the term snuff should only be defined for the respondent if questioned. It also instructed interviewers to record, "DK Snuff" if the respondent reported they did not know what snuff was and to accept other brands of snuff as well as those given as examples.
Similarly, the Manuals for 1992 forward indicated that using snuff included sniffing it and placing it in the mouth. The 1993 and 1994 Manuals indicated that interviewers should not include the use of "the new tobacco-less snuff."
Comparability
This variable is mostly comparable for 1987 and 1992, and for 1993-1994 but less comparable between these two groups. The explicit exclusion of tobacco-less snuff in the 1993 and 1994 surveys may reduce comparability. For 1970, apart from changes in the universe, the use of proxy reporting reduces comparability with all later years. In 1970, a respondent representing the family (a proxy) could answer the questions associated with SNUFFNOW for all other family members over age 17. As self-report is typically more accurate than proxy report, researchers may want to indicate this caveat when analyzing the data or interpreting results and when comparing 1970 with all later years.
Universe
- 1970: Persons age 17+.
- 1987; 1991: Sample persons age 18+ who have ever used snuff at least 20 times in their entire lives.
- 1992: Half of sample persons age 18+ in quarters 1 and 2, and in 2 weeks of quarter 3 (excluded from CAEP supplement) who have ever used snuff at least 20 times in their entire lives.
- 1993: Half of sample persons age 18+ in quarters 3 and 4 (excluded from AIDS supplement).
- 1994: Half of sample persons age 18+ (excluded from AIDS supplement) who have ever used snuff at least 20 times in their entire lives.
Availability
- 1970, 1987, 1991-1994
Weights
- 1970 : PERWEIGHT
- 1987, 1991-1992 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 1993-1994 : SUPP2WT