Executive Summary

In September 2002, Tobacco Smart Indiana commissioned the Indiana University Public Opinion Laboratory to conduct a telephone survey of 701 self-identified registered voters in Marion County, Indiana regarding tobacco usage habits and policies toward exposure to secondhand smoke in public places.

• Nearly half of the respondents to this survey have never been regular smokers of cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. About one-quarter of the respondents currently smoke and another quarter has smoked at some point in the past.
  
  
• Nearly 84 percent of those who currently smoke indicated that they smoke every day.
  
  
• Nearly 85 percent of the respondents agree with the statement, "Indoor worksites should be smoke free."
  
  
• 88 percent of the respondents interviewed agree that, "Secondhand smoke can harm people other than the smoker."
  
  
• 77 percent of the respondents would support a policy in Marion County to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in indoor workplaces.
  
  
• 66 percent of the respondents would support a policy in Marion County to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants.
  
  
• 74 percent of the respondents said they would support a policy in Marion County to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in public places such as malls, theaters and recreation facilities.
  
  
• 87 percent of non-smokers, 72 percent of former smokers and 39 percent of smokers "strongly agreed" that, "Indoor worksites should be smoke free."
  
  
• Nearly 87 percent of non-smokers, 75 percent of former smokers and 54 percent of smokers "strongly agree" with the statement, "Secondhand smoke can harm people other than the smoker."
  
  
• Almost 89 percent of non-smokers, 73 percent of former smokers and 58 percent of smokers support a policy in Marion County to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in indoor workplaces.
  
  
• 79 percent of non-smokers and 63 percent of former smokers would support a policy in Marion County to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants. Approximately 48 percent of smokers would support such a policy.
  
  
• Over 83 percent of the non-smokers, 69 percent of the former smokers and nearly 60 percent of the smokers support a policy to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke in public places such as malls, theaters and recreation facilities.