Personality determinants of the use of tobacco products Charles D. Spielberger a, *, Eric C. Reheiser a , John P. Foreyt b , Walker S.C. Poston b , Devin C. Volding b a Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA b Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Received 12 August 2002; received in revised form 19 March 2003; accepted 18 April 2003 Abstract According to Eysenck’s Diathesis-Stress Theory, individual differences in personality contribute to the persistent use of tobacco products. In previous research, users of smokeless tobacco (SLT-Users) scored significantly higher than Non-Users on the Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Psychoticism scales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. SLT-Users also scored higher on Spielberger’s trait anxiety and trait anger measures, and were described as more impulsive, aggressive and quick-tempered than Non-Users. Consistent with Eysenck’s Theory and previous research, SLT-Users in the present study had significantly higher mean scores than Non-Users of tobacco products on trait anxiety and the NEO-FFI Neuroticism scale. The SLT-Users also had significantly higher trait anger, angry temperament, and angry reaction scores than Smokers and Non-Users, and reported that they were more likely to express rather than control their angry feelings. However, in contrast with previous research, no differences were found between SLT-Users, Smokers and Non-Users on the NEO Extraversion scale. An important and unique finding of the present study was that SLT-Users had significantly lower NEO-FFI Agreeableness and Conscientiousness scores than Smokers and Non-Users. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Personality determinants of the use of tobacco products Cigarette smoking in the USA has markedly declined in recent years, while the use of smokeless tobacco has steadily gained in popularity (de Moor, Johnston, Werden, Elder, Senn, & Whitehorse, 1994; Glover & Glover, 1993). The number of smokeless tobacco (SLT) users increased 26% from 1961 to 1991 (Sullivan, 1992). By the mid-1980s, the number of SLT-Users in the USA was estimated to exceed 12 million (Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General, 1986), 0191-8869/03/$ - see front matter # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00201-0 Personality and Individual Differences 36 (2004) 1073–1082 www.elsevier.com/locate/paid * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-803-974-2342; fax: +1-813-974-2340. E-mail address: spielber@luna.cas.usf.edu (C.D. Spielberger).