Poll Shows Strong Bipartisan Support For National Tobacco Control

American Cancer Society
Friday, 15 May 1998

Washington 1998/05/15 -A new national survey, commissioned by the American Cancer Society, shows that Americans favor a tobacco control plan similar to the McCain bill by a 22-point margin (55% for and 33% against). In fact, the public supports toughening that bill in a number of ways. Support for the bill cuts across party lines, with Republicans slightly more likely to favor passage than Democrats and independents most likely to support the bill (Republicans: 56% favor, 35% oppose; Democrats: 51% favor, 36% oppose; independents: 58% favor, 26% oppose). After respondents hear specific provisions of the bill, including the tobacco tax increase, approval actually increases (59% favor, 27% oppose).

"This poll reinforces what we've known all along. The American public wants national tobacco control legislation," said American Cancer Society President David S. Rosenthal, M.D. "We can only hope that members of Congress are listening to the people they represent instead of the tobacco industry."

The poll also showed that registered voters favor a tobacco tax increase if $1.10 per pack by 61% to 36% and that 59% favor an even larger, $1.50 per pack increase while only 39% oppose. These voters do not see the tobacco price hike as indicative of tax and spend politics. In fact, by a 2-to-1 margin, voters say that a candidate who signed a "no new taxes" pledge would not be violating that pledge by supporting a tobacco tax increase (57% would not be violating pledge; 28% would be violating). Fifty-five percent of Republicans surveyed are willing to excuse a tobacco tax increase.

The public believes there are many good reasons to raise tobacco taxes. A vast majority of Americans support funding additional tobacco-related health research and anti-tobacco education programs as well as additional funding for Medicare, child care and child development programs.

"These numbers clearly counter the tobacco lobbyists' threats that members of Congress who signed a no-tax pledge will lose support from their constituents if they vote for a tobacco tax increase. It also proves that Big Tobacco's strategy of scaring members of Congress away from support for legislation by playing the 'no new taxes' card may backfire on them," said Rosenthal. "This poll clearly shows that Congress has no excuse not to pass national control legislation immediately."< P>The findings are from a survey of 800 adults who were interviewed May 5-9, 1998. The margin of error for the sample is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. For a copy of the survey summary, call (202) 661-5710.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org