North Carolina Adults Support
Legislation to Eliminate Secondhand Smoke in Public Places
University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine
Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program
Research Brief
June 6th, 2007
The great majority of North Carolina adults support legislation to eliminate secondhand
smoke exposure in all enclosed public places in the state, according to a new UNC
survey. The major findings are that:
1) 68% of North Carolina adults support a statewide law to eliminate
secondhand smoke exposure in all public, indoor places.
More than two-thirds (68%) of North Carolina adults support passage of a
statewide law that would ban smoking in all public enclosed areas, such as
restaurants, bowling alleys, shopping centers, and indoor stadiums.
Among non-smokers (about 80% of the population), support was higher with
82% in favor of such a law.
Support for a law to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in enclosed public
places was universal across age, gender, race/ethnicity, parental status, and
educational level.
2) Support for a statewide law to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in
all public, indoor places is high even in “tobacco country”.
In the heavily tobacco-dependent area of Johnston County, 60% of adults favor a
statewide law banning smoking in all public, indoor places.
Majority support for a statewide law to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in
enclosed public places occurred in Johnston County across age, race/ethnicity,
parental status, and educational level.
The results come from a telephone survey in April and May 2007 with a statewide
sample of 251 North Carolina adults and a separate survey of 277 North Carolina adults
in Johnston County. The results are weighted to ensure that they are representative of
the entire state and Johnston County populations.
For more information, contact the Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program at 919-
966-3711.