# Hit me with your best puff: Personality predicts preference for cigar vs. cigarette smoking

## TL;DR

This study finds that personality traits like openness and extraversion are linked to preferences for cigar or cigarette smoking among older adults.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel associations between specific personality traits and smoking preferences in older adults across multiple European countries.

## Key findings

- Smoking is associated with lower Conscientiousness and Agreeableness and higher Extraversion.
- Cigar smokers show lower Neuroticism and higher Openness compared to cigarette smokers and non-smokers.

## Abstract

In this study, we examine the association between Big Five personality traits and cigar or cigarette smoking in a sample of 9,918 older adults across 11 European countries derived from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) dataset. We find significant associations between several traits and smoking groups. Smoking was associated with lower scores on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness and higher Extraversion scores. In addition, cigar smokers exhibit lower Neuroticism and higher Openness compared to both cigarette smokers and non-smokers. These findings suggest that both personality traits are antecedents of smoking behavior, offering implications for targeted public health interventions and social policies aimed at combating the global tobacco epidemic.