A new survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that a majority of Americans support a ban on all tobacco products.
The poll, published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventing Chronic Disease, asked participants if they would support policies for a ban on menthol cigarettes and the sale of all tobacco products. Out of the 6,455 participants, 62.3% of people supported a ban on menthol cigarettes, and 57.3% were in favor of a policy that would stop the sale of tobacco products overall.
The results showed that women aged 18 to 29 years old were generally more in favor of getting rid of menthol cigarettes (65% among women, 59.5% among men) and a ban on tobacco (62.2% among women, 52.2% among men). These findings represent a shift in public opinion towards tobacco control measures.
Ruth Malone, a researcher on tobacco and the editor-in-chief of the journal Tobacco Control, said, “The public is ahead of policymakers and even public health on this issue. We need to be bold and we need to be braver. There’s a lot of anxiety over calling for something bold like this.”
Smoking and using tobacco products increase the risk of diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses, according to the CDC. The survey results could lead to more stringent tobacco control measures, such as the proposed limit on nicotine in cigarettes by the Biden administration and the proposed statewide ban on flavored vaping products, and increased taxes on cigarette sales in New York.
The new survey marks a significant shift in attitudes towards tobacco use and control measures. In 2018, a Gallup, poll found that percent of US adults supported a smoking ban, indicating a much lower level of support for tobacco control measures at the time.
The recent survey results have been seen as a positive step in the fight against tobacco-related illnesses, which can include diabetes, lung disease, cancer, and other chronic health issues. Many health experts believe that the public’s increasing support for tobacco control measures could help drive policy changes and reduce tobacco use in the US.
However, there are still concerns about the potential impact of a ban on all tobacco products. Some critics have argued that such a ban could lead to a rise in black-market tobacco sales, which could potentially be more dangerous and unregulated.
Others have suggested that education and prevention efforts may be more effective in reducing tobacco use in the long term.
Despite these concerns, the survey results suggest that many Americans are ready for bold action to tackle the tobacco epidemic. With support for tobacco control measures continuing to grow, it will be important for policymakers to consider a range of strategies to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.