Wednesday, October 22, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The overwhelming majority of San Diego adults believe that smoking is exceptionally harmful to one’s health, according to survey results jointly released today by the San Diego Institute for Policy Research, LLC and Keepcomingback.com, a website for people in recovery from substance abuse and nicotine addiction, and for their friends and family members.
Conducted by Competitive Edge Research & Communications, Inc. (CERC) between September 12 and September 14 and commissioned by the San Diego Institute for policy Research, the SDIPR/Competitive Edge Research Poll examined the opinions of 520 adult San Diegans about tobacco use and restrictions on smoking in public places. The survey finds that 56% of San Diegans believe smoking is extremely harmful to one’s health and another 27% say it is very harmful.
Yet even with such strongly negative opinions about its health effects, tobacco use continues. While only 9% of adult San Diegans report that they currently use tobacco products on a regular basis, one-third indicate that they have used tobacco regularly at some point. Testament to the powerful addictive properties of nicotine, 60% of those who currently smoke continue to do so even though they believe that smoking is extremely harmful or very harmful to one’s health. One out of every three users of tobacco indicate that they have never tried to quit or have been unsuccessful in their efforts.
It is also clear from the survey results that smoking is a habit learned early and frequently at home. Sixty-six percent of tobacco users started the habit before the age of 18 (and another 24% started between the ages of 18 and 20). Respondents are twice as likely to have regularly used tobacco if another member of the household also used tobacco.
“The addictive qualities of tobacco use are highlighted in this survey,” said Gayle Francis, CEO and Founder of Keepcomingback.com. “People overwhelmingly know that tobacco use puts their health at risk and yet many San Diegans can’t stop. Breaking this cycle of addiction continues to be vital to improving the health of our community.”
The survey also finds widespread support for most prohibitions on smoking. 54% of respondents agree with bans on smoking in front of entrances to workplaces or in outdoor public places such as city parks or beaches. 71% of respondents agree that smoking should be banned in cars where there is also a minor child in the vehicle. Support for such bans goes up the more that people feel tobacco use is harmful.
Where public opinion switches is when it comes to bans on smoking within the confines of private property. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed say it should not be illegal to smoke in a private condominium or apartment that shares a common wall with a neighbor. Even among just those who believe tobacco use is extremely harmful, such a prohibition fails to gain majority support.
To examine the full survey, cross tabs, and a report by Competitive Edge Research and Communications, Inc. go to www.keepcomingback.com.
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