Inhalation in Relation to Type and Amount of Smoking

Abstract

A survey conducted by mail was made to obtain information on inhalation in relation to type and amount of smoking. The proportion of men who said that they inhaled: (1) increased with amount of smoking and decreased with age, (2) was very much higher for cigarette smokers than for cigar and pipe smokers, and (3) was much higher for men who smoked only cigarettes than for men who smoked both cigarettes and cigars. The proportion of men who said that they inhale differed very little between those smoking filter tip cigarettes and those smoking non-filter tip cigarettes.

A test was made to determine whether the wording of the letter of transmittal enclosed with the questionnaires, the organization from which the questionnaires were sent, the presence or absence of a postage stamp on the envelope enclosed for reply, or the failure of some men to reply had an influence on the findings. It appeared that these factors made very little difference in the percentage distribution of responses to questions on smoking habits. However, a larger percentage of the addressees replied when a return envelope with a postage stamp attached was enclosed than when a business reply envelope not requiring a postage stamp was enclosed. The wording of the letter of transmittal also seemed to have some influence on the percentage of replies.

* From the Statistical Research Section of the American Cancer Society and the Statistical Laboratory of Yale University.

Notes

* From the Statistical Research Section of the American Cancer Society and the Statistical Laboratory of Yale University.