(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Few adults in the United States support enacting a policy that would make smoking in the country totally illegal, according to a poll by Gallup. 83 per cent of respondents oppose this rationale, while 17 per cent support it.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Few adults in the United States support enacting a policy that would make smoking in the country totally illegal, according to a poll by Gallup. 83 per cent of respondents oppose this rationale, while 17 per cent support it.
Also, 52 per cent of respondents disapprove of a new law that gives the federal government power to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
In December 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled—in a 5-4 decision—that smokers can seek legal action against tobacco companies in state court for making fraudulent claims related to light cigarettes, which purportedly have lower tar and nicotine levels. Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that the companies that sold these products had a "duty not to deceive" the public through advertising or marketing.
Nationwide, 24 American states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have implemented laws that ban smoking in all enclosed public places, while 13 others forbid smoking under specific circumstances.
On Jun. 22, U.S. president Barack Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law, declaring, "Each day, 1,000 young people under the age of 18 become new, regular, daily smokers, and almost 90 per cent of all smokers began at or before their 18th birthday. I know. I was one of these teenagers. And so I know how difficult it can be to break this habit when it’s been with you for a long time."
The legislation authorizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate ingredients, ban the marketing of "light cigarettes" and require graphic warning labels on tobacco products.
Polling Data
Thinking now about public policy toward smoking: Should smoking in this country be made totally illegal, or not?
|
Jun. 2009
|
Jul. 2007
|
Jul. 2005
|
|
|
Should
|
17%
|
12%
|
16%
|
|
Should not
|
83%
|
87%
|
83%
|
|
Unsure
|
1%
|
1%
|
1%
|
Do you approve or disapprove of a new law that gives the federal government power to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products?
|
Approve
|
46%
|
|
Disapprove
|
52%
|
|
Unsure
|
2%
|
Source: Gallup
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,011 Canadian adults, conducted from Jun. 14 to Jun. 17, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
