Sanchez 1

Daniella Sanchez
Sociology 101
Professor Hillary
May 17th, 2016
Social Variables
The social pattern that I want to explore is based on the consumption of
cigarettes in certain parts of the country. I would like to see if states who have an
increased use of cigarettes, also have an increased cancer population. Smoking
cigarettes can be seen as a variable because it has the ability to effect other aspects of
the community. I also believe where you live can be seen as a variable because
different places hold different social norms. For example, in Utah there are more
Mormons, who are known to be of a strict faith, and so in that state we will see less
smokers since it goes against their believes. While in Kentucky, tobacco farming is
deeply rooted in their economy, so we see a wider use of cigarettes. My first variable,
variable A, is focused on adults who live in Kentucky. My second variable, variable B, is
focused on adults who live in Utah. And my third variable, variable C, is the smoking
rate within those two states and the attitudes and acceptance of cigarette smokers.
Since Kentucky has a higher rate of smoking, measuring at 30.2% smokers, versus
Utah, where only 12.2% are smokers, my hypothesis is that adults who live in Kentucky
have a higher chance of getting cancer than adults who live in Utah.

Sanchez 2
If I were to gather evidence to test my hypotheses I would not use the survey
method. The survey method wouldnt be practical since my hypotheses are based on
entire states. For example, people who do smoke cigarettes casually or socially might
not identify themselves as cigarette smokers because of denial. The information might
also not be necessarily true, or the question could take on different meanings to the
audience being surveyed, which would result in outcomes that also hold different
meanings. Either way, I wouldnt consider the information to be trustworthy enough. To
gather evidence I would use the analysis of existing documents. This would be the most
reliable data since it is taken directly from the sources that are needed, which would be
the cigarette companies, hospital records, as well as the number of people in each state
who believe in strict religions.
I would research how many people within Kentucky and Utah have been
diagnosed with cancer in the past year, and I would also check to see what percent of
their populations are active cigarette smokers and Id check to see if there were any
correlations between fluctuations. For example if there was an increase in cigarette
smokers in Kentucky, I would research to see if there was an increase in cancer
patients in Kentucky, and in Utah. I would use government records and also the records
from cancer organizations. I would also look up the sale records for cigarettes in Utah
and Kentucky and see how they contrast. I might also look to see how many tobacco
and cigarette companies there are in each state, and how much of the product they
produce.

Sanchez 3
If I found that my hypothesis was correct, and that citizens in Kentucky have a
higher chance of getting cancer than those in Kentucky, than I would also want to know
how many cancer patients dont smoke cigarettes themselves, but live with or are
frequently around others who do smoke cigarettes? I would want to see if there was a
positive correlation between second-hand smoking and cancer patients. Another
question I would ask is whether or not other tobacco use, outside of cigarettes, such as;
cigars, vape pens, hookah, and chewing tobacco are also of high use in Kentucky, and
what the use of those products are in Utah as well. That would bring about a larger
question, do any tobacco products, regardless of the use of nicotine, put you at risk of
getting cancer? The last question I would ask would be based on the gender of cigarette
smokers. Is there one gender that is more at risk for getting cancer because of
cigarettes? To find that out I would check to see the percentages in both states of
women and men who got cancer due to smoking.