The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association
-
Comparative Study
Public opinion and legislators' views on tobacco policy.
We explored the relationship between public opinion and Kentucky state legislators' views on increasing the cigarette excise tax to curb smoking, local option to pass stricter youth access to tobacco laws, and smoking restrictions in public places. The relationship of gender, education, political party affiliation, tobacco use, and tobacco allotment ownership to public and legislators' opinions was examined using logistic regression. Data from the random, statewide University of Kentucky Public Opinion Poll (n = 628 Kentucky adults) and a Delphi study of Kentucky legislators (n = 116 members of the Kentucky General Assembly) were used in this study. ⋯ Tobacco allotment owners and tobacco users were less likely to support raising cigarette taxes and local option to curb teen tobacco use compared to nonowners and nonusers. Findings of this study suggest that Kentucky legislators are not keeping up with public opinion about tobacco control, particularly in regard to smoking restrictions in workplaces and restaurants. Health professional organizations can play a role by educating both their membership and lawmakers about public support for tobacco control policy.