Survey Reveals County Opinions on Tobacco
June 20, 2003
Kiowa County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (KCTEPP) recently conducted a county-wide survey to obtain residents’ opinions on secondhand smoke and smoke-free public places. Approximately forty-six percent (79) of the surveys were returned. KCTEPP appreciates and would like to thank everyone who completed and returned their surveys.
Following is a summary of the survey results:
1) During the last 30 days, number of times you have been in restaurants which allow smoking.
29%-none, 49%-less than 5 times, 13%-5-10 times, 7%-10-20 times, 2%-more than 20 times
2) During the last 30 days, number of times you have been in businesses which allow smoking.
36%-none, 46%-less than 5 times, 7%-5-10 times, 7%-10-20 times, 4%-more than 20 times
3) Do you avoid going into businesses or restaurants which are not smoke-free
41%-yes, 55%-no, 4% other
4) Are there businesses in Kiowa County you avoid due to their smoking or smoke-free environment?
41%-yes, 59%-no
Restaurants avoided due to smoking environment (highest to lowest number of times mentioned) C-store, Just Betty’s, Michael’s Truck Stop/Phyllis’ Café, Teresa’s.
Restaurants avoided due to non-smoking environment – Our Place.
5) Thoughts about secondhand smoke.
53%-very harmful, 8%-somewhat harmful, 35%-annoying and irritating, 3%-no big deal, 1%-other (stinks, etc.)
6) Thoughts about children’s exposure to secondhand smoke.
53%-very harmful, 8%-not very harmful, 36%-children affected same as adults, 3%-children affected to greater degree then adults
7) Type of restaurants you prefer to dine at while eating out.
69%-smoke-free only, 4%-smoking only, 27%-either is fine
8) Thoughts about ordinances requiring restaurants, taverns and bars to be smoke-free.
49%-should be up to business owner, 22%-should be city ordinance, 29%-restaurants smoke-free, but not taverns or bars
9) Thoughts about smoke-free public places including indoor and outdoor.
30%-only indoor public places, 28%-all indoor and outdoor public places, 40%-should be up to business owner or town/county, 2%-other
10) Should there be a smoke-free ordinance throughout Kiowa County?
28%-yes, 42%-no, 30%-not sure
11) Thoughts about smoke-free work places
46%-should be up to owner, 54%-Every business should be smoke-free
The remaining three questions covered formal smoking policies throughout local businesses and employer’s insurance coverage relating to tobacco use. While the majority of businesses in the county have no formal non-smoking policies, most have an "understood" policy and/or allow smoking in designated areas.
The following are summaries of comments mentioned more than twice:
"prefer smoke-free public places, but also believe in idea of free country" - "too many laws and regulations" – "smoke-free ordinances within this county/city would bring down businesses" – "too much smoking on ball fields and in grand stands at the fair" - "yes on indoor smoke-free public places, some outdoor public places, otherwise up to business owner" - "avoid going into C-store due to food and drinks tasting like smoke, clothes smell like smoke and a person stinks after being in there, needs better ventilation" - "C-store would get more of my business if they didn’t have so much smoke" - "like Just Betty’s food, but don’t like the smoke, so get take out" – "smoking allowed in courthouse kitchen is a joke, ventilation doesn’t clear the air or the smell, can smell smoke throughout the rest of the building" – "having a choice in smoke-free restaurants with Our Place is wonderful" - "like food at Our Place, but we smoke-get food to go"
Other comments received:
"essential businesses like grocery store, etc. should be smoke-free, non-essential businesses like video store, should be up to business owner" – "hope prices get so high people can’t afford to smoke or chew" – "people who smoke in cars with their children should be cited for child abuse" – "there is an epidemic among girls, there should be earlier education in middle school" – "according to one study, secondhand smoke is not as harmful as we are led to believe" – "growing up with smokers, I had lots of ears infections and was always sick" - "both my parents smoked and I’m just fine" - "I firmly believe being around my parents who smoke has affected my health, both passed away due to smoking-related causes".
If you are interested in learning more about secondhand smoke, KCTEPP has a variety of brochures available on this issue. You may contact Pegi Hueller at 438-5938 or 438-5492, or visit the KC Nursing Service.