State legislators' attitudes and voting intentions toward tobacco control legislation

OBJECTIVES: This study describes state legislators' knowledge, attitudes, and voting intentions with regard to tobacco-related issues. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of state legislators was conducted in North Carolina, Texas, and Vermont in 1994. RESULTS: Most legislators agreed that secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in nonsmokers, and a majority believed that smokers are addicted to nicotine. More than 75% stated that they would support a measure to enforce laws preventing tobacco sales to youth. A majority of Texas and Vermont legislators supported an increase in the state cigarette excise tax; 43% of North Carolina legislators would support an increase if revenues were directed toward tobacco farmer diversification. CONCLUSIONS: State legislators believe tobacco to be addictive, and they support policies to protect youth from tobacco. Support for other legislative measures differs significantly across states.