Tobacco Documents Online

Contact: Cindy Drucker Peggy Barresi Cone/Coughlin Communications (617) 227-2111 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Youth Access to Tobacco Survey Summary SURVEY PURPOSE: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded a Mathematica Policy Research survey to assess public opinion about policy alternatives to: • curb kids' access to tobacco products • restrict various types of advertising and promotions that may encourage kids to use tobacco METHODOLOGY: • Conducted between October 5 and November 3, 1994 • Computer-assisted telephone interviews • Sample selected through random digit dialing • 2,345 persons 18 and over surveyed • Interviews conducted in English or Spanish • Oversampling for African-Americans (n=486), Hispanics (N=402), and California residents (N=465) • Smokers and non-smokers surveyed • Overall margin of error of ± 2.5~70 MAJOR FINDiNGS: • There is broadbased support for specific actions to limit children's access to tobacco products and to restrict advertising and promotions that may encourage children to smoke. • Support cuts across age, sex, ethnicity, ideology, political affiliation, and geographic region of the country.

Survey Summary/2 Youth Access Policies • Although the sale of tobacco products to minors is illegal, 68% of adults believe it is very or somewhat easy for kids to buy tobacco products. • Young adults (18 to 24 years), who may have a more realistic perception of this problem, are even more likely (81 %) to believe it is easy for minors to buy tobacco products. • 94% of adults favor requiring proof of age when purchasing tobacco products. For the purpose of reducing youth access to tobacco products, the majority of adults support banning the following: • All cigarette vending machines (74%) • Cigarette vending machines accessible to kids (91%) • Self-service displays in stores (78%) Tobacco Advertising and Promotion The majority of adults support banning the following types of tobacco promotions: • Distribution of free cigarettes on public streets (88%) • Sale of single cigarettes (82%) • Coupon promotions to obtain free cigarettes by mail (81%) • Coupon promotions to obtain branded clothing and accessories (70%) • 73% believe that tombstone advertising (without pictures or cartoons) would make smoking less appealing to children. Proposals to Regulate'1'obacco and Assist with mokin Cessation • The overwhelming majority of adults (92%), including current smokers who do not plan to quit (85%), believe nicotine is addictive. The maiority of adults support actions to regulate tobacco and aid smoking cessation: • Support requiring tobacco companies to list additives on package labels (93%). • Support extending government regulation of nicotine products, such as nicotine patches and nicotine gum, to cigarettes (71%). • Support policies requiring tobacco companies to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes (79%). • Want insurance companies to cover the cost of smoking cessation programs (65%). ###