Differences in generosity between smokers and nonsmokers in an upcoming smoking ban

The stigmatization of smokers has become a social norm as new information about its health effects continues to be uncovered. This study investigated smokers in terms of their generosity as a means of stigma management. A field study was undertaken in which the experimenters frequented local establishments in the eight days prior to the 2010 M ichigan antismoking legislation taking effect. Experimenters, sometimes while smoking and sometimes while not smoking, approached patrons of the establishments who were either smokers or nonsmokers and asked them for a dollar. Results indicated smokers were more likely to give a dollar than nonsmokers, regardless of whether or not the experimenters were smoking. This was interpreted as a strategy smokers use to combat social stigma.