Unlike the earlier cross-sectional study, the present study found a strong negative association between tobacco use and AR, consistent with prior research supporting the possibility of common genetic or personality factors underlying nicotine and alcohol dependence and the synergistic properties of the concurrent use of alcohol and tobacco (Kerf et al., 1991; Schiffman et al., 1994; Swan et al., 1990; Zachny, 1990). Again, the discrepancy likely reflects different smoking measures. The cross-sectional study used a lifetime smoking measure that included former smokers, who by virtue of having given up one addictive substance may have been at increased likelihood of recovery from alcohol dependence, and current smokers, who by virtue of not having given up smoking, may have been at decreased likelihood of recovery. These two effects may have cancelled each other out in the earlier study. Alternatively, given the more recent observation period for the current analysis, the discrepancy may reflect cohort effects or results of recent policy changes restricting venues for smoking.
