The Saratogian Published on 08/08/2007
By KEVIN GOODWIN
kgoodwin@saratogian.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS - The latest survey done by the Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition shows two things: Strong majority support for smoke-free outdoor venues and public opinion is changing.
The coalition covers Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties and the results show more than 75 percent of adults in these counties favor smoke-free playgrounds and also support smoke-free building entranceways, parks, municipal pools and public beaches.
Janine Stuchin, project manager for the Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition, said in a press release that 70 percent of adults across the three counties want building entranceways to be smoke-free and half of those interviewed support smoke-free public parks and outdoor recreation areas. In Saratoga County, 75 percent favor smoke-free municipal pools.
Stuchin said there is a clear trend in the data and that people do not want to be exposed to secondhand smoke.
"These are huge percentages, and they show people's attitudes are changing," said Margaret LaFrance, program coordinator for the Tobacco Free Coalition, in the press release. "It is our hope that municipalities are listening and will start taking action to make their properties tobacco free. People want to go to public places that are healthy for themselves and their families."
LaFrance said two-thirds of people surveyed would like to have tobacco advertisement signs removed from retail stores that are close to schools, playgrounds or daycare centers. She said that is part of the coalition's mission - to prevent youth smoking.
"Kids notice ads, even if we don't," LaFrance said.
The survey occurred in June by the Syracuse University researchers, who conducted 750 telephone interviews with adults in the three counties. It focused on tobacco use, advertising, promotion and attitudes about expanding the Clean Indoor Air Act to include outdoor venues. Surveys were done in 2003, 2005 and 2006, LaFrance said. |
