Introduction_NN1 Continued_JJ use_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 substance_NN1 despite_II its_APPGE causing_VVG problems_NN2 has_VHZ been_VBN attributed_VVN to_II addiction_NN1 ,_, habit_NN1 ,_, lack_NN1 of_IO willpower_NN1 ,_, etc_RA ._. 
Which_DDQ perceived_VVD causes_NN2 are_VBR endorsed_VVN varies_VVZ across_II drugs_NN2 ,_, places_NN2 ,_, subcultures_NN2 and_CC time_NNT1 periods_NN2 ._. 
Such_DA perceived_JJ causes_NN2 may_VM be_VBI important_JJ because_CS they_PPHS2 may_VM influence_VVI treatment_NN1 seeking_VVG ;_; e.g._REX ,_, those_DD2 who_PNQS more_RRR readily_RR endorse_VV0 addiction_NN1 as_II a_AT1 cause_NN1 of_IO problems_NN2 stopping_VVG smoking_NN1 would_VM be_VBI expected_VVN to_TO more_RRR likely_RR seek_VVI treatment_NN1 ._. 
The_AT current_JJ study_NN1 determined_VVN a_ZZ1 )_) which_DDQ perceived_VVD causes_NN2 smokers_NN2 report_VV0 for_IF an_AT1 inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI smoking_NN1 ,_, b_ZZ1 )_) whether_CSW these_DD2 causes_NN2 are_VBR logically_RR related_VVN to_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 ,_, c_ZZ1 )_) whether_CSW the_AT causes_NN2 predict_VV0 treatment_NN1 endorsement_NN1 and_CC d_ZZ1 )_) whether_CSW perceived_JJ causes_NN2 vary_VV0 across_II disorders_NN2 ._. 
Several_DA2 prior_JJ studies_NN2 have_VH0 empirically_RR examined_VVN how_RRQ the_AT lay_JJ public_NN1 conceptualizes_VVZ why_RRQ people_NN smoke_VV0 and_CC whether_CSW this_DD1 differs_VVZ from_II other_JJ drug_NN1 disorders_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS these_DD2 studies_NN2 present_VV0 intriguing_JJ results_NN2 ,_, none_PN focuses_VVZ specifically_RR on_II smokers_NN2 '_GE perceptions_NN2 of_IO the_AT causes_NN2 of_IO other_JJ smokers_NN2 '_GE inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI smoking_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ studies_NN2 have_VH0 focused_VVN on_II why_RRQ smokers_NN2 believe_VV0 they_PPHS2 themselves_PPX2 can_VM not_XX stop_VVI smoking_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 focused_VVD instead_RR on_II smokers_NN2 '_GE perceptions_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 modal_JJ smoker_NN1 because_CS oftentimes_RR persons_NN2 believe_VV0 they_PPHS2 do_VD0 not_XX conform_VVI to_II the_AT norms_NN2 for_IF a_AT1 group_NN1 they_PPHS2 belong_VV0 to_II (_( e.g._REX smokers_NN2 often_RR state_VV0 that_CST they_PPHS2 are_VBR at_II less_DAR risk_NN1 of_IO death_NN1 from_II smoking_JJ than_CSN the_AT modal_JJ smoker_NN1 )_) ._. 
Methods_NN2 We_PPIS2 recruited_VVD smokers_NN2 using_VVG the_AT Zoomerang_NN1 website_NN1 (_( www.zoomerang.com_NNU )_) which_DDQ has_VHZ a_AT1 database_NN1 of_IO 3_MC million_NNO US_NP1 consumers_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 agreed_VVN to_TO complete_VVI online_JJ surveys_NN2 in_II31 return_II32 for_II33 points_NN2 redeemable_JJ for_IF services_NN2 and_CC merchandise_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 emailed_VVD an_AT1 invitation_NN1 to_II a_AT1 random_JJ subsample_NN1 of_IO known_JJ current_JJ smokers_NN2 that_CST stated_VVD "_" Smokers_NN2 wanted_VVD to_TO complete_VVI a_AT1 brief_JJ online_JJ survey_NN1 (_( 5-10_MCMC min_NNU )_) about_II your_APPGE views_NN2 of_IO alcohol_NN1 or_CC cigarette_NN1 use_NN1 or_CC obesity_NN1 in_II31 return_II32 for_II33 Zoomerang_NP1 points_NN2 ._. "_" 
The_AT website_NN1 obtained_VVD informed_JJ consent_NN1 and_CC asked_VVD the_AT two_MC inclusion_NN1 criteria_NN2 of_IO a_ZZ1 )_) over_II age_NN1 24_MC ,_, and_CC b_ZZ1 )_) currently_RR smoking_VVG daily_RR ._. 
Zoomerang_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX able_JK to_TO provide_VVI information_NN1 on_II response_NN1 rate_NN1 or_CC on_II how_RGQ many_DA2 smokers_NN2 were_VBDR excluded_VVN ._. 
Participants_NN2 were_VBDR recruited_VVN over_RG 3_MC days_NNT2 and_CC we_PPIS2 stopped_VVD recruitment_NN1 after_II 367_MC smokers_NN2 completed_VVD the_AT survey_NN1 because_CS this_DD1 would_VM provide_VVI over_RG 100_MC smokers_NN2 for_IF each_DD1 of_IO the_AT three_MC surveys_NN2 (_( see_VV0 below_RL )_) which_DDQ this_DD1 would_VM provide_VVI sufficient_JJ accuracy_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 first_MD study_NN1 in_II this_DD1 area_NN1 ._. 
After_CS consent_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 randomized_VVD participants_NN2 to_TO complete_VVI a_AT1 survey_NN1 about_II the_AT causes_NN2 of_IO inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI smoking_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 survey_NN1 on_II inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI problematic_JJ alcohol_NN1 use_NN1 ,_, or_CC a_AT1 survey_NN1 on_II inability_NN1 to_TO lose_VVI weight_NN1 when_CS obese_JJ ._. 
Participants_NN2 were_VBDR mostly_RR non-Hispanic_JJ Caucasians_NN2 (_( 89%_NNU )_) who_PNQS were_VBDR often_RR married_JJ (_( 52%_NNU )_) and_CC usually_RR worked_VVN full_JJ or_CC part_NN1 time_NNT1 (_( 62%_NNU )_) ._. 
Males_NN2 and_CC females_NN2 were_VBDR equally_RR represented_VVN (_( 51%_NNU males_NN2 )_) and_CC many_DA2 participants_NN2 (_( 38%_NNU )_) had_VHD completed_VVN college_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE mean_JJ age_NN1 was_VBDZ 48_MC (_( sd_NNU =_FO 14_MC )_) ._. 
Participants_NN2 smoked_VVD a_AT1 mean_NN1 of_IO 19_MC (_( 10_MC )_) cigs/day_FU ,_, had_VHD a_AT1 mean_JJ Fagerstrom_NN1 Test_NN1 for_IF Nicotine_NN1 Dependence_NN1 (_( FTND_NP1 )_) score_NN1 of_IO 4.4_MC (_( 2.2_MC )_) and_CC 81%_NNU smoked_VVN within_II 30_MC min_NNU after_II awakening_VVG ._. 
Most_DAT (_( 65%_NNU )_) had_VHD tried_VVN to_TO quit_VVI smoking_VVG for_RR21 good_RR22 on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ._. 
Despite_II being_VBG recruited_VVN from_II the_AT Internet_NN1 ,_, the_AT sample_NN1 appeared_VVD comparable_JJ to_II smokers_NN2 in_II the_AT most_RGT recent_JJ US_NP1 National_JJ Health_NN1 Interview_NN1 Survey_NN1 (_( NHIS_NP1 ;_; )_) and_CC US_NP1 National_JJ Survey_NN1 on_II Drug_NN1 Use_NN1 and_CC Health_NN1 (_( NSDUH_NP1 ;_; www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh_FU )_) population-based_JJ samples_NN2 of_IO current_JJ smokers_NN2 on_II age_NN1 ,_, education_NN1 ,_, gender_NN1 and_CC cigs/day_FU ._. 
The_AT sample_NN1 also_RR had_VHN a_AT1 similar_JJ FTND_NP1 score_NN1 and_CC prevalence_NN1 of_IO past_JJ quit_JJ attempts_NN2 to_II recent_JJ US_NP1 national_JJ surveys_NN2 ._. 
The_AT sample_NN1 was_VBDZ under-represented_JJ in_II minorities_NNU (_( 11%_NNU vs._II 22%_NNU in_II the_AT NHIS_NN1 )_) ._. 
About_RG half_DB (_( 53%_NNU )_) of_IO participants_NN2 used_JJ alcohol_NN1 monthly_NN1 or_CC less_RRR ;_; 23%_NNU met_VVD criteria_NN2 for_IF current_JJ hazardous_JJ drinking_NN1 (_( i.e._REX 14_MC drinks/week_FU )_) and_CC 22%_NNU reported_JJ binge_NN1 drinking_NN1 (_( consumed_VVN &ge;_FO 5_MC drinks_NN2 on_II occasion_NN1 )_) monthly_JJ ._. 
Few_DA2 (_( 19%_NNU )_) had_VHD tried_VVN to_TO stop_VVI alcohol_NN1 for_RR21 good_RR22 on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ._. 
One-third_MF (_( 33%_NNU )_) were_VBDR overweight_JJ (_( BMI_NP1 &ge;_FO 25_MC )_) and_CC 31%_NNU obese_JJ (_( BMI_NP1 30_MC )_) ._. 
Almost_RR half_RR (_( 44%_NNU )_) had_VHD tried_VVN to_TO lose_VVI weight_NN1 on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 alcohol_NN1 and_CC weight_NN1 outcomes_NN2 are_VBR consistent_JJ with_IW prior_JJ surveys_NN2 that_CST smokers_NN2 drink_VV0 more_DAR and_CC weigh_VV0 less_DAR than_CSN never_RR or_CC ex-smokers_NN2 ._. 
Among_II the_AT above_JJ characteristics_NN2 ,_, the_AT proportion_NN1 of_IO non-whites_NN2 and_CC FTND_NP1 scores_NN2 differed_VVN across_II the_AT three_MC survey_NN1 groups_NN2 ;_; however_RR ,_, when_CS these_DD2 two_MC variables_NN2 were_VBDR used_VVN as_CSA covariates_VVZ ,_, the_AT results_NN2 did_VDD not_XX change_VVI ;_; thus_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 report_VV0 only_RR unadjusted_JJ results_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS multi-item_JJ scales_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN developed_VVN to_II measure_NN1 perceived_VVD causes_NN2 of_IO the_AT inability_NN1 to_TO change_VVI ,_, none_PN covered_VVD all_DB of_IO the_AT causes_NN2 we_PPIS2 wished_VVD to_TO examine_VVI or_CC was_VBDZ adaptable_JJ to_II different_JJ problems_NN2 ,_, plus_II all_DB were_VBDR lengthy_JJ ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 employed_VVD single_JJ terms_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 been_VBN used_VVN in_II prior_JJ studies_NN2 of_IO conceptualizations_NN2 of_IO tobacco_NN1 and_CC alcohol_NN1 use_NN1 and_CC dependence_NN1 ._. 
In_II an_AT1 informal_JJ ,_, qualitative_JJ pre-test_NN1 in_II a_AT1 convenience_NN1 sample_NN1 of_IO 30_MC persons_NN2 with_IW high_JJ school_NN1 but_CCB not_XX college_NN1 degrees_NN2 ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 reported_VVD problems_NN2 understanding_VVG our_APPGE terms_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 chose_VVD alcohol_NN1 problems_NN2 and_CC obesity_NN1 as_CSA comparators_NN2 because_CS a_ZZ1 )_) they_PPHS2 have_VH0 similar_JJ features_NN2 (_( e.g._REX urges_NN2 ,_, impaired_JJ control_NN1 )_) and_CC are_VBR prevalent_JJ how_RGQ much_RR each_DD1 is_VBZ an_AT1 addiction_NN1 vs._II habit_NN1 is_VBZ widely_RR debated_VVN ._. 
The_AT surveys_NN2 described_VVD one_MC1 of_IO three_MC common_JJ scenarios_NN2 ;_; i.e._REX ,_, a_ZZ1 )_) "_" a_AT1 current_JJ daily_JJ smoker_NN1 who_PNQS knows_VVZ they_PPHS2 have_VH0 a_AT1 smoking-related_JJ illness_NN1 and_CC has_VHZ tried_VVN to_TO quit_VVI on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 "_" ,_, b_ZZ1 )_) "_" a_AT1 current_JJ heavy_JJ drinker_NN1 with_IW current_JJ social_JJ or_CC health_NN1 problems_NN2 from_II alcohol_NN1 use_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ tried_VVN to_TO stop_VVI on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ,_, "_" and_CC c_ZZ1 )_) "_" someone_PN1 whose_DDQGE weight_NN1 is_VBZ &ge;_FO 30%_NNU of_IO their_APPGE normal_JJ weight_NN1 (_( i.e._REX obese_JJ )_) who_PNQS has_VHZ weight-related_JJ health_NN1 problems_NN2 and_CC who_PNQS has_VHZ tried_VVN to_TO lose_VVI weight_NN1 on_II several_DA2 occasions_NN2 ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 used_VVD scenarios_NN2 because_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR interested_JJ ,_, not_XX in_II smokers_NN2 '_GE perception_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE own_DA smoking_NN1 ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 of_IO most_DAT other_JJ smokers_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 asked_VVD smokers_NN2 to_II rate_NN1 inability_NN1 to_TO change_VVI for_IF each_DD1 scenario_NN1 on_II a_AT1 5_MC point_NN1 scale_NN1 whether_CSW they_PPHS2 agreed_VVD or_CC disagreed_VVD that_CST the_AT inability_NN1 to_TO change_VVI was_VBDZ due_II21 to_II22 each_DD1 of_IO 13_MC causes_NN2 ;_; e.g._REX we_PPIS2 asked_VVD "_" This_DD1 person_NN1 's_GE continued_JJ smoking_NN1 is_VBZ probably_RR due_II21 to_II22 an_AT1 addiction_NN1 ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 also_RR asked_VVD whether_CSW smokers_NN2 agreed_VVN or_CC disagreed_VVD that_CST the_AT fictional_JJ person_NN1 should_VM use_VVI medications_NN2 ,_, group_NN1 therapy_NN1 ,_, or_CC individual_JJ counseling_NN1 to_TO change_VVI or_CC should_VM change_VVI on_II their_APPGE own_DA ._. 
We_PPIS2 focus_VV0 in_II this_DD1 paper_NN1 on_II perceived_JJ causes_NN2 of_IO smoking_NN1 because_CS our_APPGE sample_NN1 consisted_VVN of_IO smokers_NN2 ._. 
Results_NN2 for_IF the_AT alcohol_NN1 and_CC obesity_NN1 scenarios_NN2 are_VBR presented_VVN only_RR in_II relationship_NN1 to_II the_AT smoking_JJ results_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS we_PPIS2 asked_VVD participants_NN2 about_II their_APPGE perceptions_NN2 not_XX of_IO themselves_PPX2 but_CCB of_IO a_AT1 fictional_JJ other_JJ person_NN1 ,_, readers_NN2 should_VM remember_VVI that_CST smokers_NN2 had_VHD more_DAR personal_JJ experience_NN1 with_IW attempts_NN2 to_TO quit_VVI smoking_JJ than_CSN to_TO stop_VVI problematic_JJ drinking_NN1 or_CC lose_VV0 excessive_JJ weight_NN1 ._. 
Results_NN2 Smokers_NN2 endorsed_VVD addiction_NN1 ,_, habit_NN1 ,_, and_CC stress_NN1 as_CSA causes_NN2 of_IO continued_JJ smoking_NN1 (_( nb_NNU --_NN1 we_PPIS2 use_VV0 "_" inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI "_" and_CC "_" continued_JJ smoking_NN1 "_" as_CSA synonyms_NN2 )_) but_CCB disagreed_VVD that_DD1 inability_NN1 to_TO stop_VVI was_VBDZ due_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 mental_JJ disease_NN1 ,_, personality_NN1 problem_NN1 ,_, weakness_NN1 of_IO character_NN1 ,_, lack_NN1 of_IO motivation_NN1 ,_, family/upbringing_NN1 ,_, biological_JJ factors_NN2 ,_, genetics_NN1 ,_, denial_NN1 or_CC psychological_JJ problems_NN2 ._. 
Similar_JJ proportions_NN2 of_IO smokers_NN2 agreed_VVN and_CC disagreed_VVN that_DD1 lack_NN1 of_IO willpower_NN1 and_CC lack_NN1 of_IO motivation_NN1 were_VBDR reasons_NN2 for_IF continued_JJ use_NN1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 multivariate_JJ regression_NN1 of_IO age_NN1 ,_, sex_NN1 ,_, race_NN1 ,_, education_NN1 ,_, cigs/day_FU ,_, degree_NN1 of_IO dependence_NN1 (_( FTND_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC prior_RR quit_VV0 attempt_NN1 on_II endorsement_NN1 of_IO addiction_NN1 or_CC habit_NN1 ,_, only_JJ smokers_NN2 with_IW higher_JJR dependence_NN1 had_VHD greater_JJR endorsement_NN1 of_IO addiction_NN1 (_( p_ZZ1 =_FO .01_MC )_) and_CC women_NN2 were_VBDR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO endorse_VVI habit_NN1 (_( p_ZZ1 =_FO .02_MC )_) ._. 
Multiple_JJ correlations_NN2 among_II causes_NN2 were_VBDR found_VVN ._. 
For_IF brevity_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 comment_VV0 only_RR on_II our_APPGE a_JJ21 priori_JJ22 expected_JJ correlations_NN2 based_VVN on_II the_AT prior_JJ literature_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 expected_VVD ratings_NN2 of_IO addiction_NN1 to_TO be_VBI negatively_RR correlated_VVN with_IW ratings_NN2 of_IO habit_NN1 but_CCB they_PPHS2 were_VBDR positively_RR correlated_VVN ._. 
We_PPIS2 expected_VVD addiction_NN1 ratings_NN2 to_TO be_VBI positively_RR correlated_VVN with_IW biological_JJ or_CC genetic_JJ causation_NN1 ratings_NN2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX ._. 
Smokers_NN2 recommended_VVD all_DB three_MC treatments_NN2 for_IF smoking_JJ cessation_NN1 and_CC did_VDD not_XX recommend_VVI quitting_VVG on_II one_PN1 's_GE own_DA ._. 
Those_DD2 with_IW higher_JJR addiction_NN1 ratings_NN2 were_VBDR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO endorse_VVI medication_NN1 and_CC individual_JJ counseling_NN1 ,_, and_CC less_RGR likely_JJ to_TO endorse_VVI quitting_VVG on_II one_PN1 's_GE own_DA ._. 
Similar_JJ findings_NN2 were_VBDR found_VVN for_IF those_DD2 with_IW higher_JJR endorsement_NN1 of_IO biological_JJ factors_NN2 ._. 
Greater_JJR ratings_NN2 of_IO the_AT importance_NN1 of_IO willpower_NN1 ,_, motivation_NN1 ,_, and_CC weak_JJ character_NN1 were_VBDR associated_VVN with_IW greater_JJR endorsement_NN1 of_IO quitting_VVG on_II one_PN1 's_GE 
