GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that nonsmokers exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke may be at risk for circulatory problems. The study has renewed debate over the allowance of smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and workplaces. A new Gallup poll on this topic shows that roughly half of the American public -- 52% -- believe second-hand cigarette smoke is "very harmful." This percentage is up significantly from when the question was first asked in 1994. At that time, 36% believed second-hand smoke was very harmful. The current numbers are actually a few points lower than the high point in 1997, when 55% said second-hand smoke was very harmful.
When it comes to smoking in public places, Americans favor setting aside places for smoking, rather than an absolute ban. For hotels, 66% say they would prefer that areas be set aside for smoking, while just 27% say they want a total ban. For workplaces, setting areas aside is favored over a ban, 58% to 38%. The narrowest gap in public preference is recorded for restaurants, in which 52% favor setting aside areas for smoking while 44% say a total ban is in order. In all three situations, the percentage of Americans favoring a total ban has increased substantially since 1987, when Gallup first asked about the issue.
| Opinion About Smoking in Public Places |
 |
| July 19-21, 2001 |
Survey Methods
These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,038 adults, 18 years and older, conducted July 19-22, 2001. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
In general, how harmful do you feel second-hand smoke is to adults -- 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 |
||
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
||
|
2001 Jul 19-22 |
52 |
33 |
9 |
5 |
* |
1 |
|
|
1999 Sep 23-26 |
43 |
39 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1997 Jun 26-29 |
55 |
29 |
9 |
5 |
* |
2 |
|
|
1996 May 9-12 |
48 |
36 |
9 |
5 |
* |
2 |
|
|
1994 Mar 11-13 |
36 |
42 |
12 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
|
* Less than 0.5%
(vol.) Volunteered response
What is your opinion regarding smoking in public places? First, in [ROTATED] -- should they SET ASIDE certain areas, should they totally BAN smoking, or should there be NO RESTRICTIONS on smoking? How about in ... ?
A. Hotels & motels
|
Set aside areas |
Totally ban |
No restrictions |
No opinion |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
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 |
B. Workplaces
|
Set aside areas |
Totally ban |
No restrictions |
No opinion |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
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 |
C. Restaurants
|
Set aside areas |
Totally ban |
No restrictions |
No opinion |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
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 |
|
* Less than 0.5% |
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