PubHawk
May 2008 PMID 18499567

The collective dynamics of smoking in a large social network.

Nicholas A Christakis, James H Fowler

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Mentions

72
Peak: 3 in Mar 2020
across 5 sources since Sep 2015

Extended reach

120,412
potential audience

Total likes

1,717

Video views

86,346

Mentions per month

Sep 2015 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News38 articles
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • Blogs12 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group consistently references the importance of social ties in smoking cessation, such as the impact of a spouse reducing smoking by 67% and the potential for social contagion models. The tone and choice of words, like 'relevant' and 'support helps', reflect a thoughtful recognition of the article's relevance and possible influence on health policies.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings of the article, especially emphasizing the social influence on smoking behaviors.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions are highly engaging, with participants showing strong interest in how social networks impact smoking and behavior change.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments delve into related research, models, and implications, indicating a moderate level of deep engagement with the topic.

ImpactModerate impact

Several posts highlight the significance of social influence on health outcomes, suggesting a recognition of the study's potential impact on public health strategies.

Abstract in brief

  • The study analyzed a large social network of over 12,000 people from the Framingham Heart Study between 1971 and 2003, finding that smoking tendencies tend to cluster within social groups, with these clusters remaining stable over time despite overall decreases in smoking prevalence.
  • Smoking cessation is significantly influenced by close social ties: quitting by a spouse reduces an individual's chances of smoking by 67%, while siblings, friends, and coworkers also positively impact quitting, especially among those with higher education levels.
  • The findings suggest that smoking spreads and diminishes within social networks through both close and distant relationships, indicating that social interactions play a crucial role in smoking behavior changes and should be considered in public health strategies.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
✨️ GailaxyRak
@GailaxyRak · X

แค่อยากเขียนถึงการใช้คำว่าจุ๊มุ หนูจะต้องเขียนเธรดยาวขนาดนี้เลยเหรอ แต่ไหนๆ ก็ไหนๆ แล้ว หากท่านใดสนใจงานวิจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องกับแนวคิดนี้ สามารถอ่านเพิ่มเติมได้ที่นี่เลยนะคะ— https://t.co/3AQkeEzlz7 https://t.co/kwaWSj6Zj7 https://t.co/LYrQUwX7dY https://t.co/HlYlSHB5LC

Nov 22, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 2,522 followers View post →
池田登顕　(Takaaki Ikeda)
@Ikeda_springs · X

@kanaimasa @wp0821pt このお二人繋がった方がいいです。 ソーシャルネットワーク効果です。 https://t.co/nvNu8FR9aG 知り合いの知り合いは例え、その人のことを知らなくても影響をうけるという

Mar 22, 2025 · 4 likes · 1,856 followers View post →
Umberto León Domínguez
@umbertoleon · X

Interesante concepto sobre como las conductas también se contagian a nuestros contactos como si fueran un virus... https://t.co/bNwx9ZODPK

Sep 2, 2020 · 1 like · 5,961 followers View post →
Donna Manders
@SmokeFreeLife · X

#Quitting? Support helps! Have you considered quitting with a buddy? Your #quitbuddy could be a friend, co-worker, spouse, sibling, etc. Example: Smoking cessation by a spouse decreased a person's chances of smoking by 67%! https://t.co/4yjipU5p5b https://t.co/3FGgKEZQ7P

Oct 30, 2022 · 1 like · 3,722 followers View post →
Joe Gitchell
@jgitchell · X

I'm talking phenomena like he and Dr Fowler reported in @NEJM in 2008 (below). Can we boost this? #Vaccines #Pandemic #COVID19 2/2 https://t.co/o032dG8Ppj

Aug 6, 2021 · 1 like · 3,604 followers View post →
Mike Goldberg
@iammikegoldberg · X

@nicholasjkurian Isn't it?! Here's the study: https://t.co/0HXP6DJapn

Apr 8, 2021 · 1 like · 2,530 followers View post →

All mentions

池田登顕　(Takaaki Ikeda)
@Ikeda_springs · X

@kanaimasa @wp0821pt このお二人繋がった方がいいです。 ソーシャルネットワーク効果です。 https://t.co/nvNu8FR9aG 知り合いの知り合いは例え、その人のことを知らなくても影響をうけるという

Mar 22, 2025 · 4 likes · 1,856 followers View post →
Odysseus living with Penelope
@immuno458 · X

@darkkef @EdithVazqu @MorenaSol2020 @endocrinorosero @salinas_mila @daniels_charls Erratas: había dicho Proc Natl acad sci usa. El artículo aparece en New England Journal of Medicine. https://t.co/28vzaY9D44

Nov 18, 2023 · 1 like · 1,443 followers View post →
Phleming ☕️☕️☕️
@Phleming1 · X

@GuillaumeBarucq @JeremyAnso Tout comme l'obésité. Il y a bien transmission, le vecteur étant social. On peut même trouver des modèles épidémio

May 4, 2023 · 315 followers View post →
✨️ GailaxyRak
@GailaxyRak · X

แค่อยากเขียนถึงการใช้คำว่าจุ๊มุ หนูจะต้องเขียนเธรดยาวขนาดนี้เลยเหรอ แต่ไหนๆ ก็ไหนๆ แล้ว หากท่านใดสนใจงานวิจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องกับแนวคิดนี้ สามารถอ่านเพิ่มเติมได้ที่นี่เลยนะคะ— https://t.co/3AQkeEzlz7 https://t.co/kwaWSj6Zj7 https://t.co/LYrQUwX7dY https://t.co/HlYlSHB5LC

Nov 22, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 2,522 followers View post →
Donna Manders
@SmokeFreeLife · X

#Quitting? Support helps! Have you considered quitting with a buddy? Your #quitbuddy could be a friend, co-worker, spouse, sibling, etc. Example: Smoking cessation by a spouse decreased a person's chances of smoking by 67%! https://t.co/4yjipU5p5b https://t.co/3FGgKEZQ7P

Oct 30, 2022 · 1 like · 3,722 followers View post →
Odysseus living with Penelope
@immuno458 · X

@darosselli Un estudio en NEJM sobre como las redes sociales are relevantes en el resultado de dejar de fumar. En consecuencia, se genera un problema colateral en donde los fumadores comienzar a marginalizarse. https://t.co/1Zmhe5z5Bl 1/n

Jan 15, 2022 · 1 like · 1,443 followers View post →
Reuben Schmidt
@about_medicine · X

@lore_poe @RYCcomics @ZachWeiner Interestingly, it kind of is. Work on Framingham data led to new appreciation for the social spread of smoking, see here: https://t.co/CjMS1LcoBn

Sep 5, 2021 · 1 like · 222 followers View post →
Joe Gitchell
@jgitchell · X

I'm talking phenomena like he and Dr Fowler reported in @NEJM in 2008 (below). Can we boost this? #Vaccines #Pandemic #COVID19 2/2 https://t.co/o032dG8Ppj

Aug 6, 2021 · 1 like · 3,604 followers View post →
Close Relationships
@close_rships · X

Similarly, our partner's weight loss efforts can rouse our desire to lose weight. In short, life is easier and more enjoyable when responsibilities and obstacles are taken on together. Sources: https://t.co/g90aAcdze6 https://t.co/UR5il29f4z

Jun 30, 2021 · 299 followers View post →
Mike Goldberg
@iammikegoldberg · X

Link to that study: https://t.co/0HXP6DJapn

Apr 8, 2021 · 2,530 followers View post →
Mike Goldberg
@iammikegoldberg · X

@nicholasjkurian Isn't it?! Here's the study: https://t.co/0HXP6DJapn

Apr 8, 2021 · 1 like · 2,530 followers View post →
Umberto León Domínguez
@umbertoleon · X

Interesante concepto sobre como las conductas también se contagian a nuestros contactos como si fueran un virus... https://t.co/bNwx9ZODPK

Sep 2, 2020 · 1 like · 5,961 followers View post →
Unsilenced Science
@UnsilencedSci · X

RT @UnsilencedSci: @JSighed @RichardBSpencer Smoking and other drug-use behaviors do spread through social networks, like a virus. Drugs im…

Mar 24, 2020 · 1 share · 1,753 followers View post →
Unsilenced Science
@UnsilencedSci · X

@JSighed @RichardBSpencer Smoking and other drug-use behaviors do spread through social networks, like a virus. Drugs impact younger people more and, thereby, impact society more. https://t.co/C3nEpQFQC9

Mar 24, 2020 · 1 share · 1,753 followers View post →
Joe Gitchell
@jgitchell · X

@SwitchFinder @NAChristakis

Mar 15, 2020 · 3,604 followers View post →
Benjamin Steinegger
@stinomat · X

@branmorrighan Looking into complex contagion models could be useful since social reinforcement is taking place. At least for quitting the addictive behaviour^^: https://t.co/kHK9N9rU9j A review on complex contagion can be found here: https://t.co/dCXHCFrr9m

Feb 18, 2020 · 1 like · 503 followers View post →