opinion polls

Our latest opinion poll was conducted by Populus between 16th and 18th May 2008. The findings show that:

Almost half of the population do not know the correct legal minimum age for selling tobacco
94% of people believe young people start smoking because their friends or parents smoke, because they think it is ‘cool’ or because they see celebrities smoking (not because of the display of tobacco or tobacco packaging.)
87% of people back retailers’ calls for proxy purchasing to be criminalised
Only 1% of ex-smokers reported that the display of tobacco tempted them to smoke again
94% of the public think that banning 10s packs of cigarettes will not lead to a reduction in smoking

Summary of findings:
What is the minimum legal age of sale for tobacco?
18 - 56%
16 - 33%
Other - 7%

What do you think is the main reason under 18s start smoking?
What do you think is the second greatest contributing factor for under 18s starting smoking?

	Main Reason	Second	Total
Friends smoking	39%	28%	67%
Perceived to be "cool"/ Part of rebelling	38%	22%	60%
Family members smoking	14%	31%	44%
Celebrities smoking	3%	7%	10%
Seeing tobacco on display in shops	2%	5%	7%
Tobacco packaging	1%	2%	3%

It is illegal for adults to buy alcohol on behalf of a minor. This is not the case for tobacco products. Do you think it should be illegal for adults to buy tobacco on behalf of minors?

Yes - 87%
No - 12%

If tobacco products in packets smaller than 20 cigarettes were banned - e.g. If 20 cigarettes as the minimum amount you could purchase - do you think smokers would smoke more or fewer cigarettes, or would it make no difference?

More - 15%
No difference - 77%
Fewer - 6%

Are you aware of either an individual who sells, or a location where people can readily buy tobacco products for much less than the price it is sold for in shops?

Yes - 22%
No - 77%

[Asked only to those who have quit smoking in last two years or tried quitting in the last two years.] When you were trying to quit smoking, which situation caused you to be the MOST tempted to smoke again? When you were trying to quit smoking, which situation caused you to be the next most tempted to smoke again?

	Main Reason	Second	Total
Company of smoking family/friends	29%	25%	53%
Drinking coffee/alcohol	27%	13%	40%
Location where you used to smoke	12%	16%	28%
Following a meal	12%	16%	28%
Time of day you used to smoke	8%	13%	21%
Shop where tobacco is sold	1%	2%	3%

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1008 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 16th May 2008 and 18th May 2008. Interviews were conducted across England and the results have been weighted to be representative of all English adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For a full description of the methods we use, please click here.

For the full findings of this research please visit the Populus website.