In U.S., Support for Complete Smoking Ban Increases to 22%

[alp227]

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More Americans than ever want to ban smoking outright: 22% say so today, up from 12% in 2007. Separately, 55% would make smoking in all public places totally illegal, also a proposal that has gained considerable support since 2007.



These data are from Gallup's annual Consumption Habits poll, conducted July 10-14.

Nonwhites, Less Educated More Likely to Want to Ban Smoking

Though support is growing, the percentage of Americans wanting to ban smoking entirely remains relatively low. However, 39% of nonwhites back a universal smoking prohibition. Also, those with no more than a high school diploma, at 29%, are more likely than those with more education to say they want to make smoking illegal, even though Gallup has found that Americans with no college education are generally the most likely to smoke.

Fewer than one in 10 smokers support outlawing smoking. Also, individuals living in the Midwest are comparatively less supportive of a complete ban -- 12% say smoking should be illegal, compared with roughly a quarter in other regions. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support a smoking ban, with Republican support roughly in line with that of the overall adult population.



full: http://www.gallup.com/poll/163736/support-complete-smoking-ban-increases.aspx

Too many people must have suffered the unfortunate experience of getting smoke blown in their faces.

But I wonder why the less educated would support a total smoking ban. As someone with some college education my point of view is to ban outdoor smoking due to the second-hand smoke effect. I think people have the right not to breathe in others' filth whether tobacco, cologne, etc.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Well, only if it's limited to tobacco products. (nt)

[bunnies]

2. Perfect.

Lets create another black market. Guess we'll need more jails.

[Newest Reality]

3. Because prohibition has always worked so well.

Why not create a new class of criminal? Our private, for-profit prisons need as many things made illegal as is possible in order to keep the cots full and pump-in more of our money.

"What are you in for?"

"I had a carton on me and was smoking a cigarette. I'm in for ten years."

[onehandle]

4. Ban? No. Public ban? Inevitable.

Support for sidewalk bans is growing. Already instituted in several smaller, progressive communities.

Tick tock...

Smokers should move here:

Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Those not so progressive states have almost no smoking regulations.

[arely staircase]

5. Public ban? Sure?

Privacy of home/private club ban = expanded drug war.

[catnhatnh]

6. I find it telling...

...that no one asks or discusses banning the MANUFACTURE AND SALE of cigarettes. Instead, let's harass the users of a completely legal product while leaving those using addiction and a compliant congress (R J Reynolds, et al) to extract maximum profit and the Federal and state governments to regressively tax the shit out of lower income Americans.

Some of YOU PEOPLE have an odd idea of what constitutes a Democrat.

And oh yeah, 22%...

[The Straight Story]

7. Nothing like a bunch of missionaries who want to spread their gospel to others

And then ram it down their throats via threats of punishment.

Damn Indians smoking their pipes! We will teach them to be more civilized like us. Save their souls, praise be to jeebus.

As we drive around in big SUV's and post cat pics on the internet that takes electricity made by coal to post and store on servers.

Freedom - sometimes it means letting people do things you don't like.

So deal with it.

[alp227]

8. Freedom doesn't let people blow filth in other people's faces. nt

[The Straight Story]

9. Just car exhaust and coal right? Which one is hurting more people right now?

And having a global impact on people whether they engage those activities or not?

[alp227]

11. It's easier to put down the cigarette than to stop driving or using computer.

And tobacco smoke is FAR worse, says this study.

[The Straight Story]

12. Well, here is a study

Go sit in a garage for 3 hours with a car running.

I will sit in one for 3 hours with cigs burning one after the other.

And educating people on smoking and quitting? Fine.

We just seem to be control happy freaks anymore. Too much soda? Ban big cups. Don't like that a lot people in the bar you go to by choice smoke? Ban it there. Alcohol related deaths and cost of health care? Eh...ignore it. (and I am all for smoking bans in places people have to go, like grocery stores and such....but it just bothers some people that what others choose to do they cannot forbid and control for some reason)

So...is global warming being harmed by cars, coal, and transporting all the plastic we want and don't need more than smoking? If it is our health we are worried about maybe we should stop trying to make others not do things we don't personally like and start looking at the things we do and buy and how that is hurting us.

But then, when it impacts you, it is suddenly a need.....

[alp227]

13. With smoking, it's FAR beyond something "others don't like".

People's HEALTH is threatened - my right to breathe trumps your right to blow filth everywhere. Simple as that! Can't compare smoking with soda.

[alp227]

19. and regarding bars...

if a bar wants to allow smoking it should say so at the door so that customers are aware of what to expect when walking by the premises.

[millennialmax]

10. Rental units and public places? Sure. In the privacy of one's home? HELL no. eom

[NewThinkingChance40]

14. Cancer rates, the causes of lung cancer

The fact is, while they say that cigarette smoking is the "leading" cause of lung cancer, the numbers vary. Most reports say that the chance for lung cancer in smokers has do with number of cigarettes smoke, time someone has been smoking, and age. Why then do we have cases where someone can chain smoke for 50 years, and dies of a heart attack at 80, but then have someone who never smokes and is not around anyone who does but dies of lung cancer at 30? The other causes that aren't reported as often are Asbestos fibers, Radon gas, Familial predisposition, Lung diseases, Prior history of lung cancer, and Air pollution. With so many other causes out there, it doesn't make sense to have an all out war on smoking, without mentioning the other causes.

[olddots]

15. fools will be fools

you went to college ? wow cool !!!!!

[bluestate10]

16. I favor banning smokers from smoking in public and giving them traffic tickets if they

smoke while driving with their windows down as most do. If smokers want to smoke in their own homes or yards, I am ok with that as long as a buffer is maintained with their neighbor's properties.

[Nye Bevan]

17. I'm in the 55%.

Why should people be allowed to emit noxious, poisonous fumes in my face while I am walking on the street?

[davidn3600]

18. So while everyone is fighting to legalize marijuana smoking, we are going to ban tobacco smoking?

[liberal_at_heart]

20. I would not support an outright ban. We are suppose to be a free nation.