Survey questions to gauge public support for smokefree policies – 12/2/05

Q: We are developing some state-specific tobacco-related questions for our state's next BRFSS survey. We would like to include two questions to gauge public support for smokefree policies - whether the public would support smokefree local ordinances and whether they think employees should be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke at the workplace, even if it would mean a smoking ban. We've reviewed some survey questions that Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids had used in mid-2002 and found some that may be helpful. We would like to know if other state health departments have already developed and used similar questions for any of their surveys, whether BRFSS or any other survey.

A:

  1. Michigan: Questions: Now I am going to read a list of statements . For each statement please tell me if you agree strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat, disagree strongly, or don’t know.
     
    Q3. Second-hand smoke, which is the smoke that comes off the lit end of a cigarette, can harm people who don't smoke.
     
    Q4. The indoor areas of work sites and public places should be smoke free.
     
    Q5. Your local government should support public health, including restricting smoking.
     
    Q6. A county ordinance is needed so children and non-smokers don't have to be exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in work sites and public places.
     
  2. New Hampshire: Below are the SHS state added opinion questions asked on the 2000 New Hampshire BRFSS. There are also several similar questions on the CDC Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire that ask opinions regarding smoking policies.
     
    1. On average, how often do you eat at a restaurant?
      1. Less than once a month
      2. 1-4 times a month
      3. 5-8 times a month
      4. 9-12 times a month
      5. 13 or more times a month
      6. never
      7. Don't know/ Not sure
      8. Refused
         
    2. Do you think that smoking in restaurants should be allowed without restriction, should be permitted only in designated areas, or should not be allowed at all?
      1. Allowed with out restriction
      2. Permitted only in designated areas
      3. Not allowed at all
      4. Don't know/ Not sure
      5. Refused
         
    3. When you dine out, which seating do you request?
      1. Smoking
      2. Non-smoking
      3. First available
      4. It depends on whom I am with
      5. Don't know/ Not sure
      6. Refused
         
    4. If restaurants were completely smoke-free, would you eat out more often, less often, or about the same as you do now?
      1. More often
      2. About the same
      3. Less often
      4. Don't know/ Not sure
      5. Refused
         
    5. Would you be in favor of banning smoking in restaurants by legislation?
      1. Yes by state law
      2. Yes by local ordinance
      3. Yes by federal law
      4. No Don't know/ Not sure
      5. Refused
         
    6. Do you think that breathing smoke from other people's cigarettes is:
      1. Very harmful to one's health
      2. Somewhat harmful to one's health
      3. Not very harmful to one's health
      4. Not harmful at all to one's health
      5. No opinion/Don't know
      6. Refused
         
  3. Ohio: Response from the Foundation: Below are the questions we ask in the Adult Tobacco Survey.

    In indoor work areas, do you think smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas or not at all?
     
    1 Allowed in all areas
    2 Allowed in some areas
    3 Not allowed at all
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    In the indoor dining area of restaurants, do you think that smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas, or not allowed at all?
     
    1 Allowed in all areas
    2 Allowed in some areas
    3 Not allowed at all
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    In public buildings, do you think that smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas, or not allowed at all?
     
    1 Allowed in all areas
    2 Allowed in some areas
    3 Not allowed at all
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED

    In bars and cocktail lounges, do you think smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas or not at all?
     
    1 Allowed in all areas
    2 Allowed in some areas
    3 Not allowed at all
    7 Don’t know/Not sure
    9 Refused
     
    Some cities and towns are considering laws that would make restaurants smoke free; that is eliminating all tobacco smoke from restaurants. Would you support such a law in your community?
     
    1 Yes
    2 No
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    If there were a total ban on smoking in restaurants, would you eat out more, less, or would it make no difference?
     
    1 More
    2 Less
    3 No Difference
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    Some cities and towns are considering laws that would make bars smoke free; that is eliminating all tobacco smoke from bars. Would you support such a law in your community?
     
    1 Yes
    2 No
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    If there were a total ban on smoking in bars, would it make a difference on how long you might stay at your favorite bar? Would you stay longer, stay less time, or would it make no difference? (READ LIST)
     
    1 Longer
    2 Less time
    3 No difference
    4 I don’t go to bars
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED
     
    Some cities and towns are considering laws that would make all indoor workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke free; that is eliminating all tobacco smoke from indoor workplaces. Would you support such a law in your community?
     
    1 Definitely
    2 Maybe, or
    3 Definitely not
    7 DON’T KNOW/NOT SURE
    9 REFUSED

  4. Oregon: Oregon has a number of questions that we have used for exploring public opinion about exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace. Since 2001 on the BRFSS we have asked "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Smoking should not be allowed in indoor work areas?" Response prompts are: Do you agree or disagree? Somewhat or strongly? Response categories are: strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, neither agree nor disagree, don't know, and refused.
     
    We also have a number of other questions that explore specific attitudes about restaurants, bars, and restaurant/bar combos that have been asked at different times in the past years to assess reaction to and acceptance of changed, or changing, tobacco policy within Oregon.
     
    For further information, please contact Stacey Schubert or Mike Dahlin.
     
  5. Rhode Island: Question: Concerning smoking in indoor work areas - should it be allowed in all areas, only in certain areas, or not be allowed at all?
     
    Responses:
    1. Allowed in all areas
    2. Allowed only in certain areas
    3. Not allowed at all
    4. Don't know / not sure
    5. Refused
       
  6. West Virginia: If you want to regulate smoking in public or workplaces because it is a health issue, DO NOT ASK THE PUBLIC'S OPINION! State heath departments don't have lots of money to spend on public education campaigns to educate the public enough about the issue to ever get 100% public support. If it is a health issue, ask health-related decision-making bodies to enact the measure. In the case of West Virginia, we look to county boards of health to enact these measures and we have got coverage in 54 of our 55 counties (although coverage is not yet 100% smoke-free everywhere). In our experience, the public still buys into the propoganda that:
     
    1. there is a legal right to smoke.
    2. we shouldn't inconvenience the smokers
    3. business will suffer (bars and restaurants)
    4. SHS is a just an inconvenience and is not a health issue.

    If you would like to discuss policy and smoking restrictions further, contact Kathi Elkins at kathielkins@wvdhhr.org or (304)558-1726.

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