Survey Shows Strong Support for Smoke-Free Outdoor Venues

In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, over 75% of adults favor smoke-free playgrounds, according to an annual survey commissioned by the Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition. Support is also high in the three counties for smoke-free building entranceways, parks, municipal pools, and public beaches.

The data also show that over two-thirds of those surveyed in all three counties think tobacco advertising should not be allowed outside stores located near schools, playgrounds or daycare centers. A majority thinks that tobacco advertising should not be allowed inside the stores, as well.

The survey was conducted in June by Syracuse University researchers, who completed 750 telephone interviews with adults in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. The survey focused on tobacco use, attitudes about expanding the Clean Indoor Air Act to outdoor venues, and opinions on tobacco industry advertising, promotion and sponsorship in the community. Similar surveys have been conducted in 2003, 2005, and 2006.

“We see a clear trend in the data,” says Janine Stuchin, Project Manager for Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition. “Four years ago, when the Clean Indoor Air Act was passed, most people weren’t thinking about clean outdoor air. Now, people don’t want to be exposed to secondhand smoke when they enter a building, take their child to a playground or go to a park or municipal pool.”

According to Stuchin, the results show 70% of adults across the 3 counties want building entranceways to be smoke-free. Half of the respondents in all three counties support smoke-free public parks and outdoor recreation areas, and a slightly higher percentage of adults favor smoke-free public beaches. In Saratoga County, 75% of adults favor smoke-free municipal pools.