Thursday, July 22, 2010
Current Events New poll: Indy smoking ban gets broad support
Posted by Austin Considine on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 12:16 PM
- Photo by Tomasz Sienicki, via Wikimedia Commons
Less than a year after the City-County Council struck down a citywide ban on smoking in public spaces, a new poll shows Indianapolis residents would overwhelmingly support such a ban, if given the choice.
Seems Indy voters would prefer city politicians who think likewise, as well.
According to a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a national polling group, 70 percent of the 500 registered, likely voters polled said they would support a citywide ban on smoking in indoor public spaces. A full 56 percent "strongly" favor passing a law. The study was commissioned by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Smoke Free Indy.
Such a ban would include bars, bowling alleys and nightclubs.
In an interesting twist — and, no doubt, an attempt to add pressure to local politicians — respondents were also asked if if they would have a “more favorable" impression of candidate for city office if he or she supported a smoking ban. Two-thirds said yes.
That feeling with regard to politicians extended across the political spectrum: 66 percent of Republicans agreed; Democrats were at 73 percent, while Independents came in at 60 percent.
Last time we went through this at the City-County Council, Mayor Greg Ballard stated publicly that he would veto any ban that was passed by the Council. He never had the chance because the Council ultimately shelved it.
No one's here to pretend this is the biggest issue on voters' minds these days, but it does provide some interesting food for thought whenever a government acts so clearly at counter-purpose with to will of its constituents. 2011 is only just around the corner.
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