Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Current Date:  July 29, 2010 

Release Date:  Immediate Release             Kill Date:  August 13, 2010 

Contact Person:  Ann Goldon                       Phone:  (810) 341-5898 

RE:  Public Opinion Survey Indicates Support for State Smoke-free Air Law 

Researchers with the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Tobacco Section recently completed analysis of results from a public opinion survey related to Michigan’s statewide smoke-free air law.  The survey was conducted prior to the May 1, 2010 implementation date of the law, which requires Michigan workplaces to be smoke-free. 

The nine question survey assessed knowledge about secondhand smoke, knowledge of the law, support for the law, and behavior change related to the law, specifically whether participants would eat out more often if smoking was prohibited in bars and restaurants.  Demographic information was also collected.

The survey, which was distributed to clients receiving services at local health departments and community members in 80 of Michigan’s 83 counties and through 8 agencies serving populations disparately affected by tobacco use, was conducted between March 1 and April 23, 2010 and included 10,030 participants.  Genesee County Health Department was one of the participating agencies.

Statewide just over 75% of all participants were in favor of the law and 88% thought that secondhand smoke was a serious health threat to nonsmokers.  Nonsmokers were significantly more supportive of the law than smokers.  Eighty-seven percent of participants were aware that all bars and restaurants would be smoke-free starting May 1, 2010.   Overall, 89.5 % of those surveyed reported that they would go out to eat more often or no change if smoking were prohibited in restaurants and bars. 

According to Teri Wilson, a Consultant with the MDCH Tobacco Section, “Regardless of smoking status, the majority of participants reported no change in going out to eat if smoking was prohibited in bars and restaurants; however, nonsmokers were more likely to report they would go out to eat more often than current and former smokers.  Over 900 current and former smokers reported that they would go out to eat more often.”  Ann Goldon, Health Educator at the Genesee County Health Department noted that the results from Genesee County were similar to statewide findings.  “Seventy-seven percent of participants were in favor of the law and 90% thought that secondhand smoke was a serious threat to nonsmokers.”

“The results of the survey indicate strong support for the smoke-free law prior to implementation, and 89% of participants indicated they would go out to eat more often or just as often as they did prior to Michigan being smoke-free,” added Goldon.

The public opinion survey will be conducted again in August of 2010 and results of the pre- and post-law implementation surveys will be compared.  Wilson noted that because the survey utilizes convenience sample methodology the August survey will be distributed within the same venues, but not necessarily completed by the same participants. 

To view a copy of the survey results or for more information about Michigan’s smoke-free law visit www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw .   

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