Tobacco and Smoking

In general, how harmful do you feel smoking is to adults who smoke -- very harmful, somewhat harmful, not too harmful or not at all harmful?

	Very harmful	Somewhat harmful	Not too harmful	Not at all harmful	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	83	14	2	1	*	*
2018 Jul 1-11	82	14	2	1	*	*
2017 Jul 5-9	85	10	2	2	*	2
2016 Jul 13-17	82	15	1	1	1	1
2015 Jul 8-12	80	15	2	1	1	1
2014 Jul 7-10	80	16	2	1	*	*
2013 Jul 10-14	82	13	2	2	*	1
2012 Jul 9-12	80	15	1	3	*	1
2011 Jul 7-10	81	14	2	1	*	1
2010 Jul 8-11	81	15	2	2	*	1
2008 Jul 10-13	82	14	2	2	1	*
2007 Jul 12-15	79	14	3	2	1	*
2006 Jul 6-9	84	10	2	2	*	*
2005 Jul 7-10	81	16	2	1	*	*
2004 Jul 8-11	83	14	1	1	*	1
2003 Jul 7-9	82	15	2	1	*	*
2002 Jul 9-11	80	15	2	1	1	1
* Less than 0.5%; (vol) = volunteered response
Gallup

Should smoking in all public places be made totally illegal, or not?

	Yes, should	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12 ^	62	37	1
2018 Jul 1-11 ^	59	40	1
2017 Jul 5-9 ^	57	41	2
2016 Jul 13-17 ^	57	41	2
2015 Jul 8-12 ^	58	41	1
2014 Jul 7-10 ^	56	44	1
2013 Jul 10-14 ^	55	42	3
2011 Jul 7-10 ^	59	38	2
2007 Jul 12-15 ^	40	59	1
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	39	60	1
2003 Jul 7-9 ^	31	68	1
2001 Jul 19-22 ^	39	60	1
^ Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Has smoking ever been a cause of serious health problems in your family?

	Yes, has	No, has not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	47	53	*
2018 Jul 1-11	43	56	*
2014 Jul 7-10	40	58	2
2011 Jul 7-10	42	57	*
2007 Jul 12-15	43	56	1
2004 Jul 8-11	41	59	*
2001 Jul 19-22	39	60	1
2000 Nov 13-15	40	59	1
1999 Sep 23-26	45	54	1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years of age?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	73	27	1
Gallup

Next, please say how often you currently smoke or use each of the following -- regularly, occasionally or never. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

	Regularly	Occasionally	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Cigarettes
2018 Jul 1-11	13	7	80	1
1996 Jun 27-30	21	6	73	*
A pipe
2018 Jul 1-11	1	3	97	*
1996 Jun 27-30	1	2	97	--
Cigars
2018 Jul 1-11	1	8	91	*
1996 Jun 27-30	1	9	90	*
Chewing tobacco
2018 Jul 1-11	2	3	95	*
1996 Jun 27-30	2	3	95	*
E-cigarettes, also known as vaping
2018 Jul 1-11	2	7	90	1
Marijuana
2018 Jul 1-11	5	8	87	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you think it would be justified or unjustified to set higher health insurance rates for people who smoke?

	Yes, justified	No, unjustified	No opinion
	%	%	%
2017 Jul 5-9	59	38	2
2014 Jul 7-10	58	40	2
2013 Jul 10-14	58	40	2
2011 Jul 7-10	60	38	2
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	64	35	1
2003 Jul 7-9	65	34	1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Do you think companies should be allowed to refuse to hire people just because they smoke, or not?

	Yes, should be allowed	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2017 Jul 5-9	12	87	1
2014 Jul 7-10	14	85	1
2011 Jul 7-10	14	85	1
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	13	84	3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

How often do you feel discriminated against in public life or employment because of your smoking -- [ROTATED: every day, every week, about once a month, a few times a year, less than once a year (or) never]?

Based on smokers

	Every day	Every week	Once a month	Few times a year	Less than once a year	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
2017 Jul 5-9	13	8	8	13	14	44	1
Gallup

How many different times in your life did you make serious attempts to quit smoking? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on former smokers

	1-2 times	3-10 times	More than 10 times	No opinion	Mean
	%	%	%	%
2016 Jul 13-17	64	30	4	2	4.7
2013 Jul 10-14	56	32	6	6	5.9
2006 Jul 6-9	55	33	8	4	6.1
Gallup

If you had to do it over again, would you start smoking, or not?

Based on smokers

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2015 Jul 8-12	8	91	*
2012 Jul 9-12	10	88	2
2000 Nov 13-15	12	88	--
1999 Sep 23-26	13	85	2
1990 Jul 6-8	13	83	4
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Which of the following statements better describes your view toward people who smoke -- [ROTATED: you are unsympathetic toward smokers because they continue to smoke even when they know it's harmful to their health and the health of those around them, or you are sympathetic toward smokers because they are addicted, and you understand that it is difficult to stop even if they want to]?

	Unsympathetic	Sympathetic	Both/Mixed (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2015 Jul 8-12	36	59	2	3
2007 Jul 12-15	37	58	4	2
2004 Jul 8-11	36	59	3	2
2001 Jul 19-22 ^	38	57	3	2
1997 Sep 25-28	36	53	7	4
1994 Mar 11-13	32	61	4	3
^ Asked of a half sample; (vol)=volunteered response
Gallup

As a result of increased restrictions on smoking in public places, do you feel unjustly discriminated against as a smoker, or do you think the restrictions are justified?

Based on smokers

	Yes, unjustly discriminated against	No, restrictions are justified	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Jul 7-10	37	58	5
2008 Jul 10-13	36	62	2
2007 Jul 12-15	47	51	2
2006 Jul 6-9	42	56	2
2005 Jul 7-10	39	59	2
2004 Jul 8-11	39	57	4
2003 Jul 7-9	40	59	1
2002 Jul 9-11	39	58	3
2001 Jul 19-22	32	65	3
1994 Mar 11-13	39	60	1
Gallup

Would you say you, personally, are smoking less because of these restrictions, or not?

Based on smokers

	Yes, smoking less	No, not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Jul 7-10	25	75	*
2002 Jul 9-11	28	71	1
1994 Mar 11-13	30	70	0
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

As a result of increased taxes on cigarettes, do you feel unjustly discriminated against as a smoker, or do you think these tax increases are justified?

Based on smokers

	Yes, unjustly discriminated against	No, restrictions are justified	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Jul 7-10	58	39	3
2002 Jul 9-11	68	29	3
Gallup

Would you say you, personally, are smoking less because of these tax increases, or not?

Based on smokers

	Yes, smoking less	No, not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Jul 7-10	26	71	2
2002 Jul 9-11	27	71	2
Gallup

What were some of the major reasons or factors that caused you to quit smoking? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on former smokers

	2013 Jul 10-14
	%
Health (nonspecific)	20
Concerned about link between smoking and health/death	16
Too expensive	14
Concerned for own health/Wanted to be healthier	12
Had personal health problem due to smoking	12
Pregnancy related/For health of baby	10
Lost desire/Didn't want to anymore/Didn't care for it	8
Bad habit/Disgusting/Bad tasting/Smelly	7
For my family/friends	5
Grew up/Got older	4
Family history of related illnesses/death	3
Bronchitis	1
Significant other/Family/Friends quit/didn't smoke	1
Doctor insisted	1
Cancer (nonspecific)	1
Spiritual help with quitting	1
Other	5
Nothing	1
No opinion	1
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup

Trying to be as specific as possible, what strategies or methods for quitting smoking were the most effective for you? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on former smokers

	2013 Jul 10-14
	%
Just quit/Decided it was time/Quit cold turkey	48
Will power/Commitment/Mind over matter	8
Support from family, friends/prayer	6
Used nicotine patch	5
Was experiencing health issues related to smoking	5
Stopped being around people who smoke	4
Used chewing gun/candy/seeds/lozenges to help	3
Used electronic cigarette	3
Cut down, then quit	2
Used prescription drugs	2
Became pregnant	1
Used hypnosis	1
Used nicotine gum	1
Other	12
Nothing	2
No opinion	3
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup

Thinking now about your family and closest friends, how many of them -- smoke -- many, some, only a few or none?

Based on smokers

	Many	Some	Only a few	None	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Jul 10-14	8	17	41	34	1
Gallup

How serious a problem do you think cigarettes are to society -- extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious or not serious?

	Extremely serious	Very serious	Somewhat serious	Not serious	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Jul 9-12^	30	37	27	6	1
2005 Jul 7-10	29	37	29	5	*
2003 Jul 7-9	21	36	35	8	*
^Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

How important is it to have federal government programs that address health risks associated with each of the following? Is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important or not important? How about for smoking?

	Extremely important	Very important	Somewhat important	Not important	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Jul 9-12 ^	21	34	25	19	2
^Asked of a half sample
Gallup

What is your own opinion -- do you think cigarette smoking is one of the causes of heart disease, or not?

	Yes, is	No, is not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jul 10-14	81	13	6
1999 Sep 23-26	80	13	7
1990 Jul 6-8	85	9	6
1981 Jun 26-29	74	14	12
1977 Aug 19-22	68	17	15
1969 Jul 24-29	60	15	25
1960 May 26-31	24	38	28
1958 Jul 10-15	33	37	30
1957 Jun 27-Jul 2	38	34	28
Gallup

What is your own opinion -- do you think cigarette smoking is one of the causes of lung cancer, or not?

	Yes, is	No, is not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jul 10-14	91	6	3
1999 Sep 23-26	92	6	2
1990 Jul 6-8	94	4	2
1981 Jun 26-29	83	10	7
1977 Aug 19-22	81	11	9
1972 Apr 21-24	70	13	17
1971 May 14-17	71	16	14
1969 Jul 24-29	70	11	18
1960 May 26-31	50	28	31
1958 Jul 10-15	44	30	26
1957 Nov 28-Dec 4	47	32	21
1957 Jun 27-Jul 2	50	24	26
1954 Jun 12-17	39	29	32
1954 Jan 9-14	41	31	29
Gallup

All in all, does the fact that a person smokes make you respect them more, respect them less or does it make no difference to you?

	Respect more	Respect less	Makes no difference	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2011 Jul 7-10	1	25	74	1
2003 Jul 7-9	1	21	77	1
2001 Jul 19-22 ^	0	21	78	1
1994 Mar 11-13	0	14	85	1
1990 Jul 6-8	1	17	82	*
^ Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

What is your opinion regarding smoking in public places? First, in [ITEMS ROTATED] -- should they SET ASIDE certain areas, should they totally BAN smoking or should there be NO RESTRICTIONS on smoking? How about in … ?

	Set aside areas	Totally ban	No restrictions	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Hotels and motels
2010 Jul 8-11	58	36	6	1
2007 Jul 12-15	59	34	6	1
2005 Jul 7-10	60	34	5	1
2003 Jul 7-9	68	25	6	1
2001 Jul 19-22	66	27	6	1
2000 Nov 13-15	65	28	7	*
1999 Sep 23-26	70	24	6	*
1994 Mar 11-13	68	20	10	2
1991 Oct 24-27	70	17	12	1
1990 Jul 6-8	73	18	8	1
1987 Jun	67	10	20	3
Workplaces
2010 Jul 8-11	52	44	4	1
2007 Jul 12-15	52	44	3	1
2005 Jul 7-10	56	41	2	1
2003 Jul 7-9	61	36	3	*
2001 Jul 19-22	58	38	3	1
2000 Nov 13-15	57	37	6	*
1999 Sep 23-26	61	34	4	1
1994 Mar 11-13	63	32	4	1
1991 Oct 24-27	67	24	8	1
1990 Jul 6-8	69	25	5	1
1987 Jun	70	17	11	2
Restaurants
2010 Jul 8-11	36	59	4	1
2007 Jul 12-15	42	54	3	1
2005 Jul 7-10	42	54	3	1
2003 Jul 7-9	52	45	3	*
2001 Jul 19-22	52	44	4	*
2000 Nov 13-15	48	47	5	*
1999 Sep 23-26	56	40	4	*
1994 Mar 11-13	57	38	4	1
1991 Oct 24-27	66	28	5	1
1990 Jul 6-8	66	30	4	--
1987 Jun	74	17	8	1
Bars
2010 Jul 8-11	43	31	23	2
2007 Jul 12-15	45	29	23	3
2005 Jul 7-10	40	29	28	3
2003 Jul 7-9	44	23	31	2
Gallup

If you were in a position to hire someone for a job, and you learned that the person smoked, would it make you more likely to hire that person, less likely or would it make no difference?

	More likely	Less likely	No difference	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2010 Jul 8-11	1	24	74	1
2003 Jul 7-9	2	25	73	*
1994 Mar 11-13	1	20	78	1
1991 Oct 24-27	1	21	77	1
1990 Jul 5-8	1	24	73	2
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you approve or disapprove of a new law that gives the federal government power to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products?

	Approve	Disapprove	No opinion
	%	%	%
2009 Jun 14-17	46	52	2
Gallup

Which of the following statements best describes your view of who's to blame for the health problems faced by smokers in this country? [ROTATE 1-4/4-1: 1) The tobacco companies are completely to blame, 2) The tobacco companies are mostly to blame, 3) Smokers are mostly to blame, 4) Smokers are completely to blame]?

	Companies, completely	Companies, mostly	Equally to blame (vol.)	Smokers, mostly	Smokers, completely	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2008 Jul	6	18	8	36	30	3
2007 Jul	7	24	9	32	24	3
2006 Jul	6	18	9	32	32	3
2005 Jul	7	19	9	34	30	1
2004 Jul	4	18	11	35	31	1
2003 Jul	6	19	7	37	30	1
2002 Jul	8	18	11	31	30	2
2001 Jul	6	19	12	33	28	2
2000 Nov	6	23	8	35	27	1
2000 Jul	6	20	14	29	30	1
1999 Sep	9	21	13	31	24	2
1997 May	5	20	10	38	26	1
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Do you consider the amount of taxes on a pack of cigarettes as -- [ROTATED: too high, about right or too low]?

	Too high	About right	Too low	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 Jul 7-10	33	35	25	7
2004 Jul 8-11	35	34	25	6
2002 Jul 9-11	40	27	26	7
Gallup

Which of the following statements concerning new tax increases on cigarettes do you agree with more -- [ROTATED: cigarette taxes should be raised by substantial amounts in order to discourage smoking (or) cigarette taxes should not be raised by substantial amounts because doing so would unfairly discriminate against smokers]?

	Raised	Not raised	Other (vol.)	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	48	49	1	1	1
2002 Jul 9-11 ^	46	50	1	1	2
^ Asked of a half sample; (vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Which of the following statements concerning new tax increases on cigarettes do you agree with more -- [ROTATED: cigarette taxes should be raised by substantial amounts in order to help state and local governments pay for the health costs related to smoking (or) cigarette taxes should not be raised by substantial amounts because doing so would unfairly discriminate against smokers]?

	Raised	Not raised	Other (vol.)	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2005 Jul 7-10 ^	53	43	1	1	2
2002 Jul 9-11 ^	55	39	2	1	3
^ Asked of a half sample; (vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a ban on smoking in your state that would make it illegal to smoke in all workplaces, restaurants and bars?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2004 Jul 8-11	58	40	2
Gallup

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