Opinion survey on tobacco in urban Goa

Opinion Survey of 5594 Adults in Urban Areas of GOA

The survey of urban areas of Goa comprising of 2931 men and 2663 women above
18 years revealed that 27.3 %  men  and 6.6 % women were tobacco users.

Their opinion was sought on banning of sales of tobacco products to children
and to youth below 20, or complete ban of sales to adults, on advertisement
bans, increased taxes and restriction on smoking in restaurants and eating
places.

The survey showed that great majority were in favour of legislation &
taxation on tobacco. They were also in favour of legislative measures to
restrict or curtail the sale of tobacco products to children in particular &
adults in general.

7 95 % persons (even 87% current users of tobacco) would object to their
children taking up tobacco habit.

7 86% (even 80% users) believe that sale of tobacco products to children
should be stopped.

7 78% (even 69% users) stated that sale of tobacco products to persons below
20 should be against law.

7 64 % (even 41% users) agreed that sale of bidi/cigarettes should be
stopped completely and were strongly in favour of stopping advertising of
tobacco  products.

7 60% (even 41% users) favoured increased taxes on bidis/cigarettes.

7 74% (even 60% users) opined strongly that smoking should not be permitted
in restaurants or eating  places.

Goa Cancer Society, Vaidya Hospital Panaji - Goa 403 001.

COMMENTS/RESPONSES TO: sgvaidya@goa1.dot.net.in
Sent in by Frederick Noronha