Law gaining support; 59 percent now approve
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2013) — Poll data released today by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky indicate support for a statewide smoke-free law now stands at 59 percent, 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 percent) favor a statewide smoke-free law, up from 54 percent in 2011 and 48 percent in 2010. This year, just 1 in 3 (38 percent) opposed a law and 4 percent had no opinion.
– Among registered voters, more than 6 in 10 (62 percent) favored a statewide smoke-free law, while 36 percent opposed it and 3 percent had no opinion.
– 64 percent of Republicans support a smoke-free law, 59 percent of democrats support it and 44 percent of Independents support the measure.
– Support was higher among African Americans (71 percent) than whites (57 percent).
– Three out of four Kentucky adults (75 percent) of those who have never smoked support the smoke-free law. Nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) of former smokers want a smoke free law and nearly 4 in 10 (37 percent) of current smokers support a smoke-free law.
– About 4 in 10 (38 percent) 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 Sept.20 through Oct. 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 percent.
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is a non-profit, philanthropic organization working to address the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. The Foundation makes grants, supports research, holds educational forums and convenes communities to engage and develop the capacity of the Commonwealth to improve the health and quality of life of all Kentuckians.
For more information, visit www.healthy-ky.org.
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