Phone survey reports residents favor New Albany smoking ban

By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Daniel.Suddeath@newsandtribune.com

August 19, 2008 05:19 pm

— THE RESPONSE
• 369 people answered a phone survey conducted by The Tribune.
• 210 (57%) support the proposed ban
• 118 (32%) oppose the ban
• 41 (11%) are undecided

Results of a smoking ban survey conducted by The Tribune show a majority of respondents favor the proposed restrictions.
Calls were made to more than 1,000 residents in New Albany, with 369 people agreeing to participate and stating they are a city resident and older than 18 years of age.
Out of those who asnwered, 210, or 57 percent, support the proposed ban.
Those opposed to the ban totaled 32 percent, or 118 people, with 11 percent saying they are undecided on the issue.
“This is one of the most discussed issues in the city in some time, and I’m glad we have the technology to help residents quickly share their opinion with government leaders and other readers,” said Steve Kozarovich, publisher and executive editor of The Tribune.
Kozarovich said the survey is unscientific and the newspaper had no intention of generating support for one or the other.
“We set up this poll in order to provide more opportunities to citizens that may not be as vocal or involved in community politics.”
The City Council is set to vote on the final two readings of the smoking ordinance Thursday evening. If passed, smoking in public establishments would be banned in 60 days.
The ban passed by a 5-4 vote on first reading.
Two council members on opposite ends of the spectrum shared confidence in the survey.
“[The results] would kind of jive with what we’ve been told,” said Councilman John Gonder, who voted in favor of the ban on first reading.
Councilman Steve Price voted against the ordinance earlier this month and plans to do the same Thursday. He said the results of the survey aren’t surprising.
“You have to understand most people don’t smoke and don’t go to your clubs and bars,” Price said. “My point was the way it is now, I just like freedom of choice.”

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