Table 2.

Exemplar Quotes by Theme (Qualitative Findings).

Theme 1: Perceived risk of contracting COVID-19	High perceived risk “… and the underlying conditions I have, I’d be at high risk to get it [COVID-19]. With my underlying conditions, you know I have diabetes, I smoke, I have high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.” (P12) Female, 58, MA	Moderate perceived risk “I mean, [I am] cautious because of my age and, of course, my loved ones, but I am social distancing. So when I get the chance to see somebody, I will, but I am not going out. Like I am stuck in the house and am not leaving the house.” (P7) Female, 64, MA	Low perceived risk “I've read other scientific studies, they're actually looking at nicotine and coronavirus they are seeing survival rates higher in smokers than are in non-smokers. Somehow coronavirus doesn't like the nicotine.”(P11) Female, 59, IA
Theme 2: Changes in amount smoked	Smoking more “I don’t know what else to do, like right now I am just finding that this is a stressful situation that nobody has ever been put in, so I am just being truthful with you. I have smoked at least a pack a day now, and I continue to do it until I figure out what’s going on and until I can go back to work.” (P13) Female, 61, NJ	Smoking less “So sure, It’s been different now because I’m staying at home [CPD]. You know every day is kind of a repeatable kind of thing… every day is very predictable. And I’ve also found my smoking kind of regular as well. So yea I am really pleasantly surprised that I can do six [cigarettes] with relative ease.” (P14) Male, 57, MA	Smoking stayed the same “I don't smoke any more, or any less. I try to do less but I, I haven't been very good about doing less…No, it’s not any more or any less.” (P2) Male, 67, IA
Theme 3: Attitudes toward smoking	Increased motivation to make changes “I think just because of this emergency I’m realizing that doing this [smoking] is just really toxic.” (P1) Female, 55, MA	Decreased motivation to make changes “Yeah, I think it would probably be easier once this corona thing blows over because it really does impact my job and even though I, I work a certain amount of hours, I’m still really not off the clock.” (P15) Male, 58, MD	No changes in motivation "I don’t think that [COVID-19] has anything to with it as far as motivation [to quit].I can’t make the connection there”(P16) Male, 72, IL
Theme 4: Additional concerns due to COVID-19	Familial concerns “I’m worried about my daughters. My daughter is out in rural Alabama and she’s so sick, she’s been having so much trouble breathing, I’m just scared to death for her because they don’t have the best healthcare out there in Alabama.” (P17) Female, 60, IA	Financial concerns “… Being out of work and who knows when unemployment will come through. So now money’s been real tight but now, geez, it’s like ten bucks to buy a pack of cigarettes and I can do it but, you know? Now it’s like, I could use that extra ten dollars.” (P18) Female, 63, NJ	Uncertainty “I mean I’m worried about the virus but I’d say I’m more worried about the economy and how big the country’s tanking…6 weeks ago we had 3% unemployment and now they’re saying maybe tomorrow when the numbers come out it could be 33%, that’s crazy…” (P3) Male, 61, MA
Individuals who had stopped smoking	Relapse Risk:“Surprisingly, with all the stress of this crisis, I haven't even picked up a cigarette and I thought I was going to the other day, but I didn’t… we have the shutdown till April 17 so I'm working from home all day. That actually makes it a lot easier since when I'm home I don't even really think about it.” (P8) Male, 55, IA Motivation to remain smoke free:“I don’t think so [referring to the pandemic motivating their smoke free status]. I mean everything around me is motivating me to stay smoke free. You, the patches, my family, you know? That’s what motivates me to stay smoke free.” (P9) Male, 74, MA