Poll data released today by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky indicate support for a statewide smoke-free law now stands at 59%, an increase from previous years. The Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) found support for the measure increases as age and income increase. Additionally, support for a smoke-free law crosses political party affiliation and is strongest among nonsmokers.
KHIP highlights include:
- Nearly 6 in 10 Kentucky adults (59%) favor a statewide smoke-free law, up from 54% in 2011 and 48% in 2010. This year, just 1 in 3 (38%) opposed a law and 4% had no opinion.
- Among registered voters, more than 6 in 10 (62%) favored a statewide smoke-free law, while 36% opposed it and 3% had no opinion.
- 64% of Republicans support a smoke-free law, 59% of democrats support it and 44% of Independents support the measure.
- Support was higher among African Americans (71%) than whites (57%).
- Three out of four Kentucky adults (75%) of those who have never smoked support the smoke-free law. Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of former smokers want a smoke free law and nearly 4 in 10 (37%) of current smokers support a smoke-free law.
- About 4 in 10 (38%) of respondents to the KHIP said they were a current smoker.
“We have polled on this issue since 2010 and support for a smoke-free law has increased steadily since then,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, President/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “This issue continues to gain support with Kentuckians of all ages and from all walks of life.”
The KHIP was funded by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. The poll was conducted September 20-October 14, 2012, by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones. The poll has a margin of error of ±2.5%.
For the complete smoke-free report, click here.
Source: news release