Gallup: For First Time, Majority in U.S. Supports Public Smoking Ban

Gallup ^ | 07/15/2011 | Frank Newport

[SeekAndFind]

A majority of Americans (59%) support a ban on smoking in all public places for the first time since Gallup initially asked the question in 2001. At the same time, fewer than 2 in 10 support the idea of making smoking totally illegal in this country.

According to the American Lung Association, 27 states plus the District of Columbia have passed comprehensive smoke-free laws. A New York City law bans smoking in virtually all public places, including outdoor plazas and beaches.

When Gallup first asked about a ban on public smoking in 2001, 39% were in favor, an attitude that stayed roughly the same through 2007, the last time Gallup asked the question until this year's July 7-10 survey.

Americans are much less supportive of the idea of a Prohibition-like law that would make smoking totally illegal within the United States. Nineteen percent support that option, not much different from the 14% who favored making smoking illegal in 1990, when Gallup first asked the question.

[SeekAndFind]

[arderkrag]

59 percent of Americans are utter and complete morons. Nothing new about that.

[EGPWS]

Americans are much less supportive of the idea of a Prohibition-like law that would make smoking totally illegal within the United States.

Why?

The same thing is being supported via stealth.

If we are going to destroy personal freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution for the good of the whole, then someone should proudly put their name on it politically!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The American public voted for “The Divine One.”

[sickoflibs]

The nice thing about banning cigarettes is that now less people smoke, that means that people live longer(unless they replace it with food and get diabetes and high blood pressure) and people living longer means ....entitlements (and medicaid) cost more, just what we need.

Smoking was banned in MD years ago, cant be within 50 feet of entrance of a public ( private business) building, BUT if we ‘like’ the same sex we got some new rights in exchange.

[Sporke]

If they can outlaw smokes, why can’t they outlaw “saggin”? :-/

[Buckeye McFrog]

and how many of those favor legalizing marijuana?

[absolootezer0]

The nice thing about banning cigarettes is that now less people smoke, that means that people live longer(unless they replace it with food and get diabetes and high blood pressure) and people living longer means ....entitlements (and medicaid) cost more, just what we need.

yep. more payouts with less revenue- people that quit smoking don't pay cigarette taxes.

[newzjunkey]

What took so long?

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Smoking was banned in MD years ago, cant be within 50 feet of entrance of a public ( private business) building, BUT if we ‘like’ the same sex we got some new rights in exchange.”

Sweet.................

[TheOldLady]

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[chrisser]

What took so long?

Propaganda often takes time to work.

[JoeFromSidney]

I don't smoke, and I don't like to be around someone who is smoking. Nevertheless, if a bar or restaurant wants to cater to smokers, I'll simply take my business elsewhere.

I do think smoking should be banned in government buildings, schools, and other places where people have no choice but to be there.

[sickoflibs]

RE ” Smoking was banned in MD years ago, cant be within 50 feet of entrance of a public ( private business) building, BUT if we ‘like’ the same sex we got some new rights in exchange.”.... Sweet................."

I guess there are some similarities beween smoking and .... oh never mind LOL

[Lexington Green]

Carrie Nation is alive and well.

[rivercat]

I don't smoke, and I don't like to be around someone who is smoking. Nevertheless, if a bar or restaurant wants to cater to smokers, I'll simply take my business elsewhere.
I do think smoking should be banned in government buildings, schools, and other places where people have no choice but to be there.

Bingo! I should not have to smell it, if I don't want to smell it, and I'm also in favor of steep fines for throwing butts on the ground, or out of the car window. Littering is littering.

[Horusra]

We have become such a nation of whiny,nanny wusses. It’s sad.

[relictele]

I don’t smoke and don’t enjoy being around it but I never fail to be astounded at the number of people who want to recreate East Germany within our borders.

[Atlas Sneezed]

The only perverse aspect of this is that it is being presented as a potential federal matter. Let the people of each state decide.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

... and the REASON for a US Constitution is because in a raw Democracy, the majority will always oppress the minority.

Hence the Constitutional Republic wisely provided us by our brilliant old white founding Fathers. That same Constitutional Republic the left needs to dismantle to implement hard communism. And they have the numbers of Sheeple to do it, too.