By a margin of 78 percent to 20 percent, Philadelphia voters overwhelmingly support the city's new smoke- free workplace law, according to a new poll released today by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
This support comes from a broad cross-section of voters, including large majorities of men and women, young and old, and voters in all areas of Philadelphia (an electronic press kit with a summary of poll results and color slides can be found at http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/phillypoll/ )
The poll also found that the smoke-free law has reached a level of popularity at or near other Philadelphia favorites such as the Phillies and Eagles, Donovan McNabb, Rocky Balboa, cheese steaks and Tastykakes. In fact, the percentage of voters saying they strongly favor the smoke-free law, 63 percent, significantly exceeds those who strongly favor these other Philly icons.
"This poll shows how much Philadelphians like working, living and playing in a smoke-free city," said William V. Corr, Executive Director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Philadelphians have delivered a unified message: They are thrilled to be able to earn a living and go out to restaurants and bars without putting their health at risk. The law is working as intended to protect everyone's right to breathe clean, smoke-free air.
"The Pennsylvania Legislature should follow Philadelphia's lead and the will of the people by passing a strong statewide smoke-free law that protects all Pennsylvanians from secondhand smoke," Corr added.
The new poll comes as Philadelphia nears the four-month anniversary of implementation of the smoke-free law that covers workplaces, including restaurants and most bars (the law was fully implemented on January 8, 2007). The Pennsylvania Legislature is considering statewide legislation, SB 246, that would make all Pennsylvania workplaces smoke-free.
"The most interesting finding in this survey is that the intensity level of support for the smoke-free law far surpasses that of the Philadelphia icons we tested," said Jeff Plaut, partner at Global Strategy Group. "At 63 percent, the level of strong support for the smoke-free law tops all of the classic items tested, including cheese steaks, soft pretzels, Tastykakes and the Eagles."