Want to quit smoking for good? Adopting a non-smoker identity is crucial for long-term success. Psychologist Eline Meijer's research shows that those who struggle with this mindset shift face a higher relapse risk—particularly smokers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
“People tend to act in ways that align with their identity,” explains Meijer. “For some, smoking defines who they are; it fits their self-image perfectly. Others already view themselves as non-smokers, making quitting easier. Embracing this 'future self' as a non-smoker provides powerful motivation for change.”
In her PhD research, Meijer integrated multiple methods. She conducted in-depth interviews with 10 aspiring quitters over three months. Data on smoker and quitter identities came from a six-year longitudinal study. “The large dataset let us track identity shifts over time and explore socioeconomic differences,” says Meijer. Follow-up questionnaires confirmed the findings a year later: lower-educated individuals struggle more to adopt a non-smoker identity, clinging stronger to their smoker self-image.
