3 . RESULTS FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA - ,fS~'d- ~. ~ ~: ~ ~ o{As)j

This chapter briefly summarizes the findings for British Columbia. For the total population figures reported, the sam pie was weighted to reflect the actual proportion of smokers and non-smokers in the population in British Columbia (B.C.), to accurately reflect public opinion in the province.

Incidence of Smokers

"At the present time, do you smoke cigarettes (manufactured or roll you own) every day, occasionally

or not at ail?"

"Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your life?"

.. M@ti

fIiJti. EKOS Research

'l:f!Ç Associates Inc. n=1468 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> 84 per cent of the population are currently non-smokers, and 17 per cent are smokers.

> Overall, 14 per cent of the population smokes daily and three per cent are occasional smokers.

> Of those who smoke, 84 per cent smoke daily and 16 per cent smoke occasionally.

> 53 per cent of the B.C. population has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·27

· .~

Intensity of Smoking

"On average, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?"

<15

n=667 (everyday smokers)

"On the days that you smoke, about how many cigarettes do

you smoke?"

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Among everyday smokers, 42 per cent smoke fewer than 15 cigarettes per day, 48 per cent

smoke 15 to 25 cigarettes per day, and nine per cent smoke 26 or more cigarettes per day.

> Among occasion al smokers, on the days that they do smoke, 69 per cent smoke one to five

cigarettes per day, 19 per cent smoke six to ten cigarettes per day, 10 per cent smoke 11 or more cigarettes per day, and three per cent do not know how many they smoke on average perday.

> The average number of cigarettes smoked daily is 16.5 for everyday smokers and 5.2 for

occasion al smokers.

28 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

Attempts ta Quit

"Have you ever tried to quit smoking?"

"In the past year, how many times have you stopped smoking for a least

24 hours because you were trying to quit smoking?"

• Yes Il No

Once

Three times

Not in the past year 35%

0% 20% 40% 60"10

n=801 (smokers) n=669

(smokers who have Iried la quit)

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

~~ EKOS Research '~ Associates Inc.

> 84 per cent of smokers have tried ta quit at some point in their lives.

>

63 per cent of smokers have tried ta quit at least once in the past year.

> ln the past year, 19 per cent of smokers have tried to quit once, 12 per cent have tried ta quit twice, 10 per cent have tried ta quit three times, and 22 per cent have tried ta quit more than three times.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·29

Thinking of Quitting

"Are you now seriously thinking of quitting smoking?"

"When do you think you will try to quit?"

.Yes mNo

Within the next 30 days Within the next 6 months Not within next 6 months

40% 60%

0% 20%

n=801 (smokers) n=520 (smokers who are

considering quitting)

~. EKOS Research

.~ Associates Inc. Smoking in Public Places (BC)

>

65 per cent of smokers are seriously thinking of quitting smoking at the present time.

> Of those smokers who are currently thinking of quitting, 45 per cent think the y will try and quit

within the next 30 days, 42 per cent within the next six months, and seven per cent think they will try, but not in the next six months.

30 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Types of Concerns of Smokers

"How often in the last six months has .,. led you to think about quitting?"

Con cern for your personal health

Concern about your smoking and health expressed by family or friends

l ... ~ ...

Concern about the effect of your cigarette smoke on non-smokers

'."" .. ,_ Il

Information you have seen about ways to quit or how to quit

58 . î .

Smoking restrictions in places you go to like restaurants, bars, shopping centres, etc.

Srnoking restrictions where you work ___ CM

III Not at ail DI Rarely ^f%Sornetirnes • Frequently :il.i. EKOS Rese;rch

.~ Associates Inc. n=800 (srnokers) Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> The proportion of smokers who have been led to think about quitting in the last six months by a number of different factors is as follows:

<> Concem for personal health: 59 per cent have frequently thought and

18 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

o

Concem about smoking and he al th expressed by family or friends:

42 per cent have thought frequently and 21 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

o

Concern about the effect of cigarette smoke on non-smokers: 32 per cent have frequently thought and 20 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

o

Information about ways to quit or how to quit: 22 per cent have frequently thought and 27 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

o

Smoking restrictions in places they go like restaurants, bars, shopping centres, etc.: 18 per cent have frequently thought and 14 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

o Smoking restrictions where they work: 11 per cent have frequently thought and 10 per cent have sometimes thought about quitting for this reason in the last six months.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·31

"How serious is ... ?"

Perception of Harm of Smoking

1 1

54%

The harm to the health of smokers caused by smoking cigarettes

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

l1li Not at ail serious !lM Not very serious !lM Somewhat serious • Very serious

~. EKOS Research

~~ Associates Inc. n=1468 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

>

87 per cent of the B.C. population believes the harm to the health of smokers caused by

smoking cigarettes is very serious; 70 per cent of smokers believe it is very serious.

> 73 per cent of the population thinks that the harm to the health of non-smokers caused by

breathing in second-hand smoke is very serious; 54 per cent of smokers think it is very serious.

32 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

[ 1

i ,

53%

1

Seriousness of Effects

"Have you heard a great deal, sorne, not very much or

nothing at ail about each of the following topics?"

..

¹^.

40%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

• Nothing at ail ~ Not very much !fîi Sorne • Great deal

~. EKOS Research

.~ Associates Inc. n=1468 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> 39 per cent of the population have heard a great deal about the health effects of second-hand smoke; 53 per cent of smokers have heard a great deal about the health effects of second- hand smoke.

>

32 per cent of the B.C. population have heard a great deal about restrictions against smoking

in public places; 40 per cent of smokers have heard a great deal.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·33

Attitudes Toward Second-Hand Smoke

"To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements?"

Young children should be protected from situations of second-hand smoke

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

i& Disagree

* asked of smokers only

~. EKOS Research

'1:t!t' Associates Inc.

• Agree

n=1468 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

!I

Il

34· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

97%

92%

90%

81%

87%

74%

60%

31%

> mong the B.C. population:

o

98 per cent agree that young children should be protected from situations of second-hand smoke; 97 per cent of smokers agree.

o 94 per cent agree that people who don't smoke should have the right to a smoke-free environment in any workplace; 92 per cent of smokers agree.

c

94 per cent agree that it's okay for a non-smoker to ask someone not to smoke around them; 90 per cent of smokers agree.

o

92 per cent agree that people who don't smoke should have'the right to a srnoke-free environment in any public place; 81 per cent of smokers agree.

o

92 per cent of smokers agree that they are usually willing to put out a cigarette or not to smoke if someone were to ask them.

o

92 per cent agree that people who smoke should always be willing to put out their cigarette if someone near them is bothered by the smoke;

87 per cent o,f smokers agree.

o

76 per cent agree that it is better to move away from a person whose smoking is bothering them th an to ask that person to stop smoking;

74 per cent of smokers agree.

c

67 per cent agree that they would generally feel comfortable asking a smoker to put out a cigarette or not to smoke; 60 per cent of smokers agree.

o

14 per cent agree that second-hand smoke is not as harmful as some people say; 31 per cent of smokers agree.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·35

Impacts of Second-Hand Smoke

85%

"10 what extent do you agree/disagree that second-hand

smoke can cause ... ?"

Asthma attacks in children Lung cancer in non-smokers Bronchitis in children Chest infections in children Heart disease in non-smoking adults Strokes in non-srnokinq adults

Ear infections in children Alzheimer's disease in non- smoking adults

Arthritis in non-smoking adults

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

> The proportion of the B.C. population who agree that second-hand smoke can cause a range

of illnesses or diseases is as follows:

o

91 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause asthma attacks in children; 85 per cent of smokers agree.

o

88 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer in non-smokers; 75 per cent of smokers agree.

c

87 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause bronchitis in children; 80 per cent of smokers agree.

o

86 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause chest infections in children; 80 per cent of smokers agree.

o

^{78 per}cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause heart disease in non-smoking adults; 67 per cent of smokers agree.

c

^{67 per}cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause strokes in non- , smoking adults; 56 per cent of smokers agree.

36· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

r

o

43 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause SIOS; 37 per cent of smokers agree.

o

43 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause ear infections in children; 43 per cent of smokers agree.

c

25 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause Alzheimer's disease in non-smoking adults; 20 per cent of smokers agree.

c

24 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause multiple scie rosis in non-smoking adults; 18 per cent of smokers agree.

o 20 per cent agree that second-hand smoke can cause arthritis in non- smoking adults; 17 per cent of smokers agree.

\ [:

Il

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 • 37

~. EKOS Research

'~ Associates Inc. Smoking in Public Places (BC)

Bothered by Second-Hand Smoke

"Does being exposed to second-hand smoke bother you?"

Very much ^••• ^52%

14%

Not very much Nol al ail Depends 1%

0% 20% 40% 60'% 80% 100%

• Total (n=1468)

~ Smokers (n=800)

> Proportion bothered by second-hand smoke:

<> Very much: 52 per cent (14 per cent of smokers);

o

Somewhat: 27 per cent (31 per cent of smokers);

o

^Notvery much: nine per cent (14 per cent of smokers);

o Not at ail: 11 per cent (40 per cent of smokers);

o

Depends: one per cent (one per cent of smokers).

38 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke

"How often are you personally in a situation of breathing in second-hand smoke? Would that be ... "

Every day or almosl _49%

Aboul once a week One la Ihree limes a monlh Less Ihan once a monlh

0% 20% 40'% 60% 80% 100%

:ïPti. EKOS Research .~ Associates Inc.

• Total (n=1468)

~ Smokers (n=800)

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke in Public Places

"How often are you personally in a situation of breathing in second-hand smoke in

enclosed public places you go to, such as workplaces, shopping malis, public transit or other enclosed public places?"

Aboul once a week

53%

Every day or almosl A few limes a week

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES; 2005·39

Exposure to second-band smoke:

Exposure to second-band smoke Exposure in enclosed public places

22%

40· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

Smoking Locations

"Do you smoke inside your ... ?" "Do other members of your household smoke inside your. .. ?"

RESPONDENTS OTHERS

Car

Home

Car Home

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% ^0% ^20% ^40% 60''10 80% 100%

n=800 • Total (n=1468)

~ Smokers (n=800) /lI1t:i. EKOS Research

.~ Associates Ine. (Per cent saying yes)

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> 49 per cent of smokers smoke inside their home; 60 per cent of smokers smoke inside their

car.

> Overall, eight per cent of those in B.C. indicate that other members of their household smoke

inside their home, and the same proportion (eight per cent) indicate that other household members smoke in their car. A total of 27 per cent of smokers indicate that other household members smoke inside the home, and 31 per cent of smokers state that others smoke inside their car.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005·41

Smoking Restrictions in Workplaces

"At your place of work, is smoking ... ?"

Restricted completely

Allowed in designated areas

Restricted in certain areas

Not restricted at ail

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

~. EKQS Research

.~ Associates Inc.

• Total (n::884)

~ Smokers (n::524) (Per cent saying yes)

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Among employed members of the B.C. population, 47 per cent say smoking is restricted completely in their place of work (37 per cent of smokers indicate it is); 34 per cent say that smoking is allowed in designated areas (36 per cent of smokers); 12 per cent say smoking is

restricted in certain areas only (12 per cent of smokers); and seven per cent indicate that it is

not restricted at ail (14 per cent of smokers).

42· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

Restrictions on Smoking

"Are there currently any restrictions on smoking in your community

. ?"

m ....

TOTAL ^SMOKERS

Workplaces Restaurants

Shopping malis

100% 80% 60% 80% 100%

n=1468 (Per cent saying 'yes') n=800

~. EKOS Research

.~ Associates Inc. Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Restrictions on smoking in the community in B.e.:

ô 95 per cent indicate that there are restrictions on smoking in restaurants (96 per cent of smokers);

ô 88 per cent indicate that there are restrictions in workplaces (93 per cent of smokers);

ô 85 per cent indicate that there are restrictions in shopping malis (92 per cent of smokers).

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 • 43

Oppose

81%

Ban in Ali Public Places

1 "Do you support/oppose a law that would ban smoking in ail

public places?"

Support

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

~. EKOS Research

"l:tfÇ Assoctetes Inc. (Per cent saying "yes") Smoking in Public Places (BC)

• Tolal (n=1447)

~ Smokers (n=800)

> Support for a ban on smoking in ail public places:

o

81 per cent support a law that would ban smoking in ail public places in

B.C .. (55 per cent of smokers do);

o

17 per cent oppose a ban (42 per cent of smokers do).

44· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

35%

Support for Bans in Specifie Locations

"Do you support/oppose a smoking ban in ... ?"

•

Community centres,

meeting/banquet halls 71%

71%

Bingo halls 48%

Casinos 44%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

mi Oppose • Support :/Pti. EKOS Research

'~ Associates Inc. n=1447 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Support for bans in specifie locations in B.C.:

o

Community centres, meeting/banquet halls: 83 per cent support (71 per cent of smokers support);

o

Restaurants: 82 per cent support (71 per cent of smokers support);

o

Bingo halls: 70 per cent support (48 per cent of smokers support);

o

^Casinos:67 per cent support (44 per cent of smokers support);

o

Bars, pubs, tavems: 66 per cent support (35 per cent of smokers support).

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 ·45

60% 40% 20% 0% 0"1<> 20% 40% 60%

Attitudes Toward Bans in Bars and Taverns

"Which of the following statements cornes closest to how you feel about smoking in bars and taverns? Smoking should ... "

TOTAL SMOKERS

Be only in enclosed smoking sections

Be in ail sections Be on decks/patios

Not in any section

Be only in smoking sections

n=1468

~. EKOS Research

'lt:!t Associates Ine.

n=800

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Attitudes towards smoking in bars and taverns in B.e.:

o

38 per cent think that smoking should only be allowed in endosed smoking sections (and 36 per cent of smokers think so);

o

28 per cent think that smoking in bars and taverns should be allowed on decks and patios (and 27 per cent of smokers think so);

o

19 per cent think smoking should not be allowed in any section (and five per cent of smokers think so);

o

10 per cent think that smoking should be allowed only in smoking sections (and 23 per cent of smokers think so); and

o

Three per cent think smoking should be allowed in ail sections (seven per cent of smokers think so).

46 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

Attitudes Toward Bans in Restaurants

"Which of the following statements cornes closest to how you feel . about smoking in restaurants? Smoking should "

TOTAL SMOKERS

65%

Be only in smoking sections Not in any section

Be only in enclosed smoking sections

Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> Attitudes towards smoking in restaurants in B.e.:

o

65 per cent think smoking should not be allowed in any section (and 49 per cent of smokers think sol;

o

27 per cent think that smoking should only be allowed in enclosed smoking sections (and 32 per cent of smokers think sol;

o

Seven per cent think that smoking should be allowed only in smoking sections'(and 15 per cent of smokers think sol; and

o

One per cent think smoking should be allowed in ail sections (three per cent of smokers think so).

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 • 47

Impact of Bans on Visits

! "If ... were completely smoke free, would you be free more or less likely to go?"

Restaurants

Community centres, meeting/banquet halls f.

Bars, pubs, taverns

Casinos

lIil No difference

III More likely to go there

~. EKOS Research

.~ Associates Inc. n=1468 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

Impact of smoking bans on visits to public places in B.C.*:

No Difference Net Change in Visits Less Likely to Visit

More Likely to Visit

66% +54

Location Total Smokers Total Smokers Total Smokers Total Smokers

29% 9% 4% 14% 44% 59% +25 -5

---~ ---

53% +37 -20

Bingo halls

45% 10% 8% 30% 34%

Bars, pubs, taverns Community centres,

> Although smoking bans in some public places will incur some loss of smokers, even among smokers there is a likelihood that the net change will be minimal (and in some cases a positive increase), with the exception of bars and taverns. When considering the wider population (of both smokers and non-smokers), however, the net change is a large positive gain (provided that smokers and non-smokersfrequent these establishments in proportions that are reflective of the five to one split of non-smokers to smokers seen in the overall population). The most positive gains could be expected to be seen in restaurants and community centres and meeting halls. Bingo halls would see the least gain, followed by casinos. The greater risk is with bars, which could expect a sharp drop in smokers, so attracting non-smokers would be critical to achieving a gain. It should be noted, however, that for half of smokers, there is no difference. (And, if the proportion of smokers to non-smokers in the pre-ban clientele is more

48 • EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

-9

heavily weighted toward smokers, the gain would be lower than the projected 37 per cent increase overall.)

Support for Government Actions

"Do you support/oppose provincial govemment sponsoring an AD campaign ... ?"

•

^78%¹

76%

66%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Oppose • Support :/Pti. EKOS Research

'~ Associates 'ne. n=1447 Smoking in Public Places (BC)

> The majority of the general population in B.C. support the provincial govemment sponsoring

an advertising campaign to:

ô Provide information to smokers about ways to quit (88 per cent support and 78 per cent of smokers support);

ô Raise awareness of the benefits of quitting smoking (87 per cent support and 76 per cent of smokers support);

ô Raise awareness of the benefits of smoke-free public places and workplaces (85 per cent support and 66 per cent of smokers support).

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 ·49

~. EKOS Research

.~ Associates lnc. n=800 _Smoking_{in Public}Places (BC)

Smokers Visits in General

"If smoking were no longer allowed in indoor public places, would this makeyou ... ?"

Have no impact 74% ,

More likely ta quil

Less likely la quit

DKlNR 1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

(smokers only)

> 21 per cent of smokers would be more likely to quit if smoking were no longer allowed in indoor public places.

50· EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005

~. EKOS Research

'~ Associates tnc. Smoking in Public Places (BC)

Bans in Areas Outside Ali Public Buildings

"Do you supportloppose a law that would ban smoking in the areas outside ail public buildings?"

Oppose

75%

Support

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

• Total (n=1468)

!li Smokers (n=800)

>

Support for a law that wou Id ban smoking in the areas outside ail public buildings, including

entrances and exits is weak. Only 53 per cent support this type of ban (and 23 per cent of smokers), while 44 per cent (and 75 per cent of smokers) oppose such a ban.

EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2005 • 51 ('Ji..( )

ApPENDIXA

Dans le document ,fS~'d- ~. ~ ~: ~ ~ o{As)j (Page 30-55)