IntroductionTobacco use is recognized as one of the most important causes of preventable death due to non-communicable diseases and disability worldwide. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing social support and self-control between tobacco consumers and non-consumers in Hormozgan Province.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted on the adult population above the age of 15 years living in Hormozgan province. A total number of 1,631 subjects were selected using a convenient sampling method. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of three sections: demographic information, Zimet’s perceived social support and Tangney’s self-control questionnaires. In the present study, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of social support and self-control questionnaires were 0.886 and 0.721, respectively. Data were analyzed using chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and logistic regression analysis with SPSS software (v. 25).ResultsAmong the participants, 842 (51.6%) reported to be tobacco non-consumers, and 789 (48.4%) reported to be consumers. The mean scores of perceived social support among the consumers and non-consumers were 4.6 ± 1.012 and 4.93 ± 0.518, respectively. The mean scores of self-control among the consumers and non-consumers were 2.74 ± 0.356 and 2.75 ± 0.354, respectively. There was a significant difference among tobacco consumers and non-consumers in gender, age, education level and job status (p< 0.001). The results showed that the mean scores of social support, support received from family and others were significantly higher in non-consumers than in consumers (p< 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of self-control, self-discipline, and impulse control in consumers and non-consumers (p> 0.05).ConclusionAccording to our findings, tobacco consumers received more social support from family and others compared to non-consumers. Considering the important role of perceived support in tobacco consumption, this variable should receive copious attention in developing interventions and trainings, especially family education workshops.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-023-01226-y.