How Many Smoke?
While most Americans do not smoke, about one-quarter of them do. A November 2004 Gallup survey on smoking reported that 25% of the adults interviewed said they had smoked cigarettes during the past week, down from 40% in 1969 and 45% in 1954. (See Figure 5.7 in Chapter 5.) Most smokers consumed one pack (33%) or less (52%) a day, while 14% smoked more than one pack per day, down from a high of 30% in 1978.
As Table 10.8 reveals, most smokers who responded to a 2002 Gallup survey (66%) began their habit prior to or at age eighteen. This table returns to a central theme in this book: people tend to start smoking while they are young. Those who smoke tend to do so for many years, if not a lifetime.
How Many Want to Quit?
Eight out of ten (82%) of the smokers polled in July 2004 reported that they would like to give up smoking, up from 74% in 1990. (See Table 10.9.) More than three-quarters (78%) believed they were addicted to cigarettes, up significantly from 61% in 1990. (See Table 10.10.)
Should Smoking Be Limited?
The proportion of those who consider secondhand smoke harmful increased between 1994 and 2003. In
TABLE 10.4
Public opinion poll on how many alcoholic beverages drunk in the past week, 1987-2004
APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY DRINKS OF ANY KIND OF ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES DID YOU DRINK IN THE PAST SEVEN DAYS?
[Based on 644 who drink alcoholic beverages]
| 0 % | 1-7 % | 8-19 % | 20+ % | Don't know % | Mean | Median | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 31 | 55 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 4.9 | 2 |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 30 | 50 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 5.1 | 2 |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 34 | 50 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 4.4 | 2 |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 39 | 48 | 9 | 4 | * | 3.4 | 1 |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 43 | 46 | 8 | 3 | * | 3.3 | 1 |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 40 | 47 | 8 | 4 | * | 3.7 | 2 |
| 1997 Jun 26-29 | 41 | 45 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 3.6 | 1 |
| 1996 Jun 27-30 | 47 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2.8 | 1 |
| 1994 Jun 3-6 | 44 | 42 | 10 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
| 1992 Jan 16-19 | 51 | 36 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| 1990 Dec 6-9 | 50 | 40 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
| 1989 Sep 12-15 | 33 | 47 | 13 | 5 | 2 | — | — |
| 1988 Jul 1-7 | 32 | 49 | 10 | 6 | 3 | — | — |
| 1987 Jul 10-13 | 29 | 50 | 11 | 6 | 4 | — | — |
TABLE 10.5
Public opinion poll on drinking more than one should, 1978-2004
DO YOU SOMETIMES DRINK MORE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES THAN YOU THINK SHOULD?
[Based on 644 who drink alcoholic beverages]
| Yes % | No % | No opinion % | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 25 | 75 | * |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 24 | 76 | * |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 21 | 79 | * |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 20 | 80 | * |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 26 | 74 | * |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 24 | 76 | * |
| 1997 Jun 26-29 | 22 | 78 | * |
| 1996 Jul 25-28 | 25 | 75 | * |
| 1994 Jun 3-6 | 29 | 71 | 0 |
| 1992 Jan 16-19 | 29 | 71 | — |
| 1990 Dec 6-9 | 23 | 76 | 1 |
| 1989 Sep 12-15 | 35 | 65 | — |
| 1987 Jul 1-7 | 29 | 71 | — |
| 1985 Feb 15-18 | 32 | 68 | — |
| 1978 Nov 10-13 | 23 | 77 | — |
1994 the Gallup Poll reported that 36% of respondents thought secondhand smoke was very harmful. (See Figure 5.9 in Chapter 5.) In 2003 this number had grown to 51%, an increase of 15%.
In its 2003 survey on tobacco and smoking, the Gallup Organization found that most Americans supported some restrictions on smoking. Most of them were
TABLE 10.6
Public opinion on whether drinking has been a cause of family trouble, 1947-2004
HAS DRINKING EVER BEEN A CAUSE OF TROUBLE IN YOUR FAMILY?
| Yes % | No % | No answer % | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 37 | 63 | — |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 31 | 69 | * |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 28 | 72 | * |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 36 | 64 | * |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 36 | 64 | * |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 36 | 64 | * |
| 1997 Jun 26-29 | 30 | 70 | * |
| 1996 Jun 27-30 | 23 | 77 | * |
| 1994 Jun 3-6 | 27 | 72 | 1 |
| 1992 Jan 16-19 | 24 | 76 | — |
| 1990 Dec 6-9 | 23 | 76 | 1 |
| 1989 Sep 12-15 | 19 | 81 | — |
| 1987 Mar 14-18 | 24 | 76 | — |
| 1985 Feb 15-18 | 21 | 79 | — |
| 1984 Jul 6-9 | 18 | 82 | — |
| 1981 | 22 | 78 | — |
| 1978 | 22 | 78 | — |
| 1976 | 17 | 83 | — |
| 1974 | 12 | 88 | — |
| 1966 | 12 | 88 | — |
| 1947 | 15 | 85 | — |
in favor of limiting smoking to designated areas. For example, 68% believed smoking should be limited to designated areas in hotels and motels, although a significant percentage thought smoking should be banned in these areas (25%). (See Table 10.11.)
TABLE 10.7
Rank order of public support for alcohol policies with most and least supportive groups, 2001
| Supportive group: | ||||
| Overall support (percent) | Policy type | Most | Least | Range* |
| 93 | Restrict drinking on city streets | Women | 18-24 | 9 |
| 91 | Restrict drinking at parks | Democrats & women | 18-24 | 6 |
| 90 | Require server training | Liberals & women | Republicans | 5 |
| 89 | Require bar owner training | 18-24 & women | Men | 5 |
| 88 | Restrict drinking on college campuses | Women | 18-24 | 14 |
| 88 | Tip lines to report illegal sales/use | Women & conservatives | 18-24 | 12 |
| 87 | Punish adult providers | 25+ | 18-24 | 21 |
| 84 | Restrict drinking at concerts | Women | Republicans | 14 |
| 84 | Restrict drinking at street festivals/fairs | Women | 18-24 | 18 |
| 81 | Tax increase for prevention purposes | Women | Men | 12 |
| 80 | Checking everyone's ID | 18-24 & Women | Men | 11 |
| 79 | Restrict drinking at beaches | Women | 18-24 | 17 |
| 78 | Restrict legal age for alcohol servers | Democrats & Women | 18-24 | 22 |
| 74 | Require drinking at sports stadiums | Women | 18-24 | 22 |
| 72 | Ban internet sales | Republicans & Women | Liberals & Democrats | 9 |
| 72 | Zero tolerance for youth (BAC 0.00) | Women | 18-24 | 14 |
| 70 | Ban youth-oriented packaging | Women | Men | 14 |
| 70 | Compliance checks at liquor stores | Conservatives & Republicans | 18-24 & liberals | 5 |
| 69 | Tax increase for tax relief | 18-24 | Men | 11 |
| 67 | Ban liquor ads on TV | Women | Men | 16 |
| 64 | Ban home delivery of alcohol | Women | Men | 8 |
| 64 | Ban teens in bars | Women & conservatives | 18-24 | 23 |
| 63 | Allow local controls on alcohol | Conservatives | 18-24 | 8 |
| 62 | Ban alcohol marketing with athletes | Women | Men | 16 |
| 62 | Require beer keg registration | Women | Men | 10 |
| 61 | Ban alcohol billboard ads | Women | Men & 18-24 | 19 |
| 59 | Ban beer/wine ads on TV | Women | Men & 18-24 | 16 |
| 55 | Target providers versus youth | Liberals | Women | 6 |
| 52 | Be lenient on youth offenders | Liberals & 18-24 | Conservatives | 11 |
| 48 | State control of liquor sales | 18-24 | Republicans | 10 |
| 38 | Ban happy hours | Women & Democrats | Liberals | 9 |
| 34 | Tax increase for any government purpose | 18-24 | Republicans | 12 |
| 31 | Ban beer keg sales to individuals | Women | Men | 12 |
| *Range is calculated by subtracting the lowest from the highest percent to indicate the spread or distance between most and least suportive groups. | ||||
Regarding smoking in the workplace, 61% of those polled in 2003 believed smoking should be permitted only in designated areas, while 36% thought smoking should be banned altogether. More than half (52%) wanted smoking limited to designated areas in restaurants, but most of the other half (45%) wanted it banned. Very few (3%) thought there should be no restrictions at all on smoking. Looking at Gallup's figures between 1994 and 2003, the proportion of respondents wanting no restrictions has decreased, while the percentage wanting a total ban has increased. (See Table 10.11.)
In July 2003 the percentage of survey respondents in support of various bans on smoking was somewhat lower than in 2000. Restaurants were still the places in which those surveyed were most likely to favor a total ban (45%), followed by workplaces (36%), and then hotels (25%). People were most willing to set aside areas for smokers in hotels (68%). Bars were the area people were most likely to think should have no smoking restrictions (31%). (See Figure 10.4.)
Responsibility for Health Damages
In 1998 the major tobacco companies settled with state attorneys general to reimburse states for the Medicaid costs of treating smokers. Public health organizations and others have long claimed that the cigarette industry should be held legally and financially responsible for the health problems of those who use its products. In the past, the tobacco industry had defended itself by denying that health hazards had been proved by scientific testing and by asserting that using tobacco is a matter of choice.
Who is responsible for the health problems of smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke? In 1991, when the Gallup Organization first polled Americans on the topic of liability, only 13% of respondents believed that tobacco companies should be held legally responsible for health damages related to smoking. Sixty-six percent thought that the government-required warnings on tobacco packaging absolved the companies from responsibility. As shown in Table 10.12, by the late 1990s those surveyed were more inclined to think
FIGURE 10.1
Public opinion on stiffer punishments for teenagers caught drinking as a deterrent to their drinking
It is important to remember that the mid- and late-1990s were years when tremendous attention was paid to the dangers of cigarette smoking and the deceptive marketing practices of tobacco firms. Indeed, the "Tobacco Wars" period hit a high point in 1998 with the Master Settlement Agreement (discussed in Chapter 8).
But despite this increased awareness of the tobacco industry's role in getting—and keeping—people addicted, the public did not absolve smokers of all blame. Sixty-four percent said smokers were mostly or completely to blame in 1997. The figure dropped in 1999 to 55% but increased to 67% in 2003, holding at 66% in 2004. (See Table 10.12.)
In the week following the 1998 tobacco settlement, the Gallup Organization asked Americans their opinions of the settlement. At the time, only about half of the respondents said they had heard much about it. When asked if they favored or opposed the agreement, more than one-third (35%) of the respondents either said they had not heard about it or had no opinion on the tobacco agreement. More of the respondents who had heard about the agreement and had an opinion favored (40%) rather than opposed (25%) the agreement. One-third of the smokers felt the settlement was too tough on the tobacco companies, while one-quarter felt it was not tough enough. Thirty-nine percent of nonsmokers thought it was not tough enough.
FIGURE 10.2
Public opinion on appropriate punishments for teenagers caught drinking
FIGURE 10.3
Public opinion on legislation providing penalties for older persons who illegally give alcohol to teenagers
TABLE 10.8
Public opinion poll on age smoking began, 1991-2002
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU BEGIN SMOKING?
[Based on 213 smokers]
| Under 16 % | 16-18 % | Over 18 % | No opinion % | Mean % | |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 37 | 29 | 33 | 1 | 18 |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 37 | 39 | 21 | 3 | 17 |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 36 | 35 | 29 | * | 18 |
| 1994 Mar 11-13 | 32 | 37 | 29 | 2 | — |
| 1991 Nov 7-10 | 34 | 36 | 29 | 1 | — |
TABLE 10.9
Public opinion on giving up smoking, 1977-2004
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE UP SMOKING, OR NOT?
[Based on 224 smokers]
| Yes % | No % | No opinion % | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 82 | 17 | 1 |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 82 | 17 | 1 |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 79 | 18 | 3 |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 82 | 16 | 2 |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 76 | 23 | 1 |
| 1997 Jun 26-29 | 74 | 24 | 2 |
| 1997 Jun 23-24 | 64 | 34 | 2 |
| 1996 May 9-12 | 73 | 26 | 1 |
| 1994 Mar 11-13 | 70 | 28 | 2 |
| 1991 Nov 7-10 | 76 | 22 | 2 |
| 1990 Jul 6-8 | 74 | 24 | 2 |
| 1989 May 15-18 | 63 | 33 | 4 |
| 1988 Jul 1-7 | 68 | 27 | 5 |
| 1987 Mar 14-18 | 77 | 20 | 3 |
| 1986 Jun 9-16 | 75 | 22 | 3 |
| 1981 Jun 26-29 | 66 | 30 | 4 |
| 1977 Aug 19-22 | 66 | 29 | 5 |
TABLE 10.10
Public opinion on addiction to cigarettes, 1990-2004
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ADDICTED TO CIGARETTES OR NOT?
[Based on 224 smokers]
| Yes, addicted % | No, not % | No opinion % | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 78 | 21 | 1 |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 72 | 28 | * |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 74 | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 72 | 28 | * |
| 1997 Jun 26-29 | 73 | 27 | * |
| 1997 Jun 23-24 | 68 | 31 | 1 |
| 1996 | 69 | 31 | 0 |
| 1991 | 70 | 29 | 1 |
| 1990 | 61 | 39 | * |
TABLE 10.11
Public opinion on smoking in public places, 1987-2003
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION REGARDING SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES? SHOULD THEY SET ASIDE CERTAIN AREAS, SHOULD THEY TOTALLY BAN SMOKING, OR SHOULD THERE BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING? HOW ABOUT IN …?
| set aside areas % | Totally ban % | No restrictions % | No opinion % | ||
| Hotels & motels | 2003 Jul 7-9 | 68 | 25 | 6 | 1 |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 66 | 27 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 65 | 28 | 7 | * | |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 70 | 24 | 6 | * | |
| 1994 Mar 11-13 | 68 | 20 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1991 Oct 24-27 | 70 | 17 | 12 | 1 | |
| 1990 Jul 6-8 | 73 | 18 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1987 Jun | 67 | 10 | 20 | 3 | |
| Workplaces | 2003 Jul 7-9 | 61 | 36 | 3 | * |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 58 | 38 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 57 | 37 | 6 | * | |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 61 | 34 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1994 Mar 11-13 | 63 | 32 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1991 Oct 24-27 | 67 | 24 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1990 Jul 6-8 | 69 | 25 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1987 Jun | 70 | 17 | 11 | 2 | |
| Restaurants | 2003 Jul 7-9 | 52 | 45 | 3 | * |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 52 | 44 | 4 | * | |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 48 | 47 | 5 | * | |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 56 | 40 | 4 | * | |
| 1994 Mar 11-13 | 57 | 38 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1991 Oct 24-27 | 66 | 28 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1990 Jul 6-8 | 66 | 30 | 4 | — | |
| 1987 Jun | 74 | 17 | 8 | 1 | |
| Bars | 2003 Jul 7-9 | 44 | 23 | 31 | 2 |
FIGURE 10.4
Public opinion on preference for smoking location, 2003
TABLE 10.12
Public opinion on the blame for health problems faced by smokers, 1997-2004
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST DESCRIBES YOUR VIEW OF WHO'S TO BLAME FOR THE HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY SMOKERS IN THIS COUNTRY? 1) THE TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE COMPLETELY TO BLAME, 2) THE TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE MOSTLY TO BLAME, 3) SMOKERS ARE MOSTLY TO BLAME, 4) SMOKERS ARE COMPLETELY TO BLAME?
| Tobacco companies | Smokers | |||||
| Completely to blame % | Mostly to blame % | Equally to blame (vol.) % | Mostly to blame % | Completely to blame % | No opinion % | |
| 2004 Jul 8-11 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 35 | 31 | 1 |
| 2003 Jul 7-9 | 6 | 19 | 7 | 37 | 30 | 1 |
| 2002 Jul 9-11 | 8 | 18 | 11 | 31 | 30 | 2 |
| 2001 Jul 19-22 | 6 | 19 | 12 | 33 | 28 | 2 |
| 2000 Nov 13-15 | 6 | 23 | 8 | 35 | 27 | 1 |
| 2000 Jul 14-16 | 6 | 20 | 14 | 29 | 30 | 1 |
| 1999 Sep 23-26 | 9 | 21 | 13 | 31 | 24 | 2 |
| 1997 May 6-7 | 5 | 20 | 10 | 38 | 26 | 1 |
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