Suppport for Statewide Smoke-Free Law Remains Steady

Poll data released today by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Interact for Health indicate consistent support for a statewide smoke-free law. The Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) found two thirds or 66% of Kentucky adults favor a statewide smoke-free law while one third 31% oppose it. The statistical difference between support and opposition has remained virtually unchanged since 2013.

“The data clearly show most Kentuckians support what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define as statewide comprehensive smoke-free legislation” stated Susan Zepeda, President/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “KHIP shows Kentuckians of all walks of life and varying political party affiliations continue to favor a statewide comprehensive smoke-free law.”

KHIP highlights include:

Two thirds of Kentucky adults (66%) favor a statewide smoke-free law, the same as in 2014 (66%) and 2013 (65%), up from 59% in 2012, and 54% in 2011.
Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) of those who identified themselves as being a Democrat support a smoke-free law while 67% of Republicans and 58% of Independents support the measure.
Almost 8 in 10 (77%) of Kentucky adults who have never smoked support a smoke-free law.
About 7 in 10 (69%) of former smokers want a smoke-free law.
Support for a smoke-free law among current smokers stands at more than 4 in 10 (43%).
More than 7 in 10 adults (74%) who reported excellent or very good health favor a smoke-free law.

Regionally, KHIP found the largest change of opinion on this issue in eastern Kentucky where support increased to 64%, up from 54% in 2014. KHIP data show greater Lexington has support at 71%. In greater Louisville, 70% support smoke-free. Support in northern Kentucky is at 68%. More than six in ten (65%) western Kentucky residents say they support a statewide smoke-free law.

KHIP was funded by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Interact for Health. The poll was conducted September 17, 2015-October 7, 2015, by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,608 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones. The poll has a margin of error of ±2.4%.

View the one-page overview here.