International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Social Sciences 2319 - 3565 5 11 2016 11 14 Personality traits of Younger and Older Adolescent smokeless tobacco Users – A Comparison 1 7 EN Priya Rajkumar 1 Department of Psychology, Hislop College, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Maharashtra, India Dipti Christian 2 Department of Psychology, Hislop College, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Maharashtra, India > Research Paper 2016 6 26 2016 11 14 Government ban on tobacco products and tobacco related cancers do not deter adolescent smokeless tobacco users. Common factors shape initiation and maintenance of tobacco chewing habits such as tobacco use by adult family members and peers, experimentation and more accessibility of tobacco products. Emotional and psychological problems, problem behavior, poor school performance and truancy are often associated with tobacco use. The aim of the study was to find out if there are significant differences in the personality traits of younger (12 to 15 years) and older (16 to 18 years) adolescent tobacco users. 216 male and female tobacco users both school going and dropouts were identified in Nagpur city, Maharashtra, India. The Junior Senior High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ) was administered to them individually and in groups and the resulting data was analyzed using Means, standard deviations and t test. None of the personality differences between younger and older adolescent tobacco users were found significant. However based on the comparison of means of the two groups distinct personality profiles of young and older tobacco users emerged. Younger adolescent tobacco users both male and female tended to be more reserved, more intelligent, less emotionally stable, phlegmatic, more assertive, placid, self-controlled and tense. The older tobacco users were more outgoing, less intelligent, more emotionally stable, more excited, happy go lucky, conscientious, venturesome, less placid, more apprehensive, higher self-conflict and more relaxed. Insights into personality of older and younger tobacco users are helpful in the design of effective tobacco cessation programs. Copyright@ International Science Community Association