Table 2.

Coding Scheme for Reasons.

#	Potential Reason	Brief Description	Example Comments
Misplaced or Redundant Information in Free-Text
1	Misplaced – use Smoking status field	Smoking status field includes 10 values, including “Heavy Tobacco Smoker” and “Passive Smoker”	• hx of heavy tobacco use • exposed to second hand smoke
2	Misplaced – use Packs/day field	Could be entered using Packs/day field	• 50 years 2ppd = 100+ pack-years • 30yr × 0.5 ppd
3	Misplaced – use Years field	Could be entered using Years field	• 50 years 2ppd = 100+ pack-years • 30yr × 0.5 ppd
4	Misplaced – use Type field	Could be entered using options for Types (e.g., cigarettes, pipe, or cigars)	• Occasional cigar • Pipe
5	Misplaced – use Start or Quit date field	Could be entered using Start or Quit date fields	• quit 4/3/2011 • Quit just recently. (8/16/13)
6	Redundant Text	Same/synonymous information in comment also entered into structured fields	• Former smoker • nonsmoker
Missing Values in Available Structured Fields
7	Missing value for Type field	Comment includes type that is not among available values for Type field	• Switched to an inhaler • electronic cigarette
Limited Capabilities of Available Structured Fields
8	Limited ability to describe amount	Comment includes amount that cannot be described using available fields (Packs/day and Pack years fields)	• 1–2 cigars a day • 2 cans weekly • a few a day
9	Limited ability to describe frequency	Comment includes frequency that cannot be described using available fields (Packs/day)	• Smoked cigars sporadically • occasional pipe • a few a day
10	Limited ability to describe start or quit date	Comment includes a date that cannot be described using Start date or Quit date fields that require mm/dd/yy	• Quit April 2010 • Quit one year ago • Quit 1971
11	Limited ability to describe start or quit age	Comment includes an age related to starting or quitting	• smoked until age 16 • from age 18–26
12	Limited ability to describe duration or timepoint	Comment includes tobacco use or quit duration or timepoint	• Many years • Quit for 10 yr
13	Limited ability to describe situation	Comment includes information about situation or context of tobacco use	• Social • occasional in college
14	Limited ability to describe cessation attempts	Comment includes information about quit attempts, interventions, etc.	• Would like to quit • Working on quitting
15	Limited ability to describe passive smoke exposure	Comment includes information about passive smoke exposure that cannot be described in available fields	• Parents smoke in the home • No second hand smoke
16	Limited ability to specify multiple values	Comment includes additional status, age/date, etc.	• Quit 04/12/2008, restarted in 07/2008, quit 2/2010
Other
17	Multiple statements	Comment includes multiple pieces of information	• 1–2 cigarettes/day. Quit on /1/13.
18	Other	Any other reason for use	• Smokes marijuana daily