Survey shows 68% of county residents support a smoke free law.

A new poll released January 23 finds that 68% of Sibley County voters show strong supoort for a law prohibiting smoking in all public buildings and workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars.  An overwhelming 86% of voters agree that all workers in Sibley County should be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.  This support comes from a broad-based coalition of voters, including large majorities of men and women, young and old, and residents of all parts of the county. 

Smoke Free States

In the U.s., 17 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico have now passed smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars.  The states are:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington. 

In Minnesota:  Seven counties – Olmsted, Hennepin, Ramsey, Beltrami, Meeker and McLeod – and eleven cities – Hutchinson, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Golden Valley, Bloomington, Duluth, Moose Lake, Cloquet, International Falls, Moorhead and Mankato – have passed smoke-free ordinances.  For more information, visit www.alamn.org for a listing and a description of the smoke-free ordinances in Minnesota. 

U of M Poll

During fall, 2004, Sibley County residents were surveyed to find out what they think about secondhand smoke and to find out how supportive the community is towards policy-based solutions to reduce secondhand smoke exposure.  A survey was designed to capture the beliefs about the harms of secondhand smoke, preferences for smoke-free public spaces, and personal rules about smoking in homes and cars.

Sibley County Public Health partnered with the University of Minnesota to conduct the survey.  A random sample of 600 participants between the ages of 22 and 80 years old were drawn from the Minnesota State Identification and Drivers License list.  Surveys were mailed to participants in September 2004.  The data collection was finished on November 12, 2004.  The response rate was 65%.  The margin of error was ±6%.

Key Findings:

The majority of residents would prefer to limit smoking in public places.

85% of smokers and 96% of non-smokers find secondhand smoke annoying.

62% of residents believe that restrictions on smoking in public places do not discriminate against smokers.

87% of residents believe that smoking should be limited around the entrances to stores and public buildings.

76% of residents believe that smoking should be limited at outdoor recreation areas, like parks or fairgrounds.

80% of residents feel that people who work in restaurants should have a smoke-free place of work.

Overall Sibley County residents are highly supportive of efforts to limit smoking in public places, including restaurants, and take personal actions to prevent smoking in their own immediate personal environment (homes and cars). 

If you are one of the majority of Sibley County residents that supports smoke-free environments, you are not alone!