Public Opinion Poll – Tobacco and other related issues
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Who did the survey and when:
- The Sunflower Foundation commissioned Public Opinion Strategies to conduct a statewide public opinion poll on a variety of tobacco-related issues
- The survey was conducted in late February
Why it was commissioned:
- To inform the Sunflower Foundation in its planning and work
- To help policymakers understand how tobacco-related issues are perceived in Kansas
Who was surveyed and why:
- Primary audience: Kansas voters (500) – margin of error +/- 4.4 percent
- Over-sampled: Republican primary voters (400) – margin of
error +/- 4.9 percent
- Republican primary voters over-sampled because they comprise a majority in both the State House of Representatives and State Senate
What the findings indicate:
- The general attitude among Kansas voters is positive toward tobacco-cessation efforts, with education and health care among their top priorities
- Within this framework, Kansas voters support two tobacco issues:
o A “smoke-free” ordinance for workplaces and public facilities
o Increased taxes on tobacco products
- Republican primary voters strongly support these tobacco issues, providing an opportunity for Kansas leaders to take action in ways that could make a difference in the health of Kansans for many years to come
Tobacco issues:
1. Clean indoor air
- Kansas voters overwhelmingly favor a statewide law prohibiting smoking in all indoor workplaces and public facilities – See Graph #1
§ 71 percent of Kansas voters (59 percent strongly favor)
§ 71 percent of Republican primary voters also support the proposal (57 percent strongly favor)
§ About one-third of current smokers would support a proposal (31 percent) - See Graph #2
- Kansas voters also support local initiatives to prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces and public facilities - See Graph #3
2. Other tobacco issues
- Secondhand smoke – See Graph #4
§ Kansas voters overwhelmingly believe secondhand cigarette smoke is a health hazard
· 83 percent believe it is a health hazard
· 59 percent believe it is a “serious” health hazard
· Similar for Republican primary voters:
81 percent health hazard/51 percent “serious”
- Spending – See Graph #5
§ Support is strong for increasing the current 79-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes
· 64 percent for all voters
· 65 percent for Republican primary voters
Graph #1
Graph #2
Graph #3
Graph#4
Graph #5
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