EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background & objectives
1. This research, commissioned by the Scottish Executive, gathered information on public awareness and opinions in relation to new legislation that will make certain enclosed public places smoke-free. The research was carried out by placing a module of questions in the May, August and November waves of mruk's 2005 omnibus survey.
Methodology
2. Given the nature of the research, a quantitative research exercise was required, with an in-home omnibus approach being considered the most appropriate methodology in addressing the objectives.
Sample profile
3. A total of 1,040 in-home interviews were undertaken in August 2005, 1,042 in May 2005 and 1,041 in November 2005. Each set of interviews were undertaken with a representative sample of the population in Scotland using mruk's in-home Scottish omnibus. Interviews were conducted across 52 constituency based sampling points selected to be geographically representative of the population in Scotland. Interviews were conducted on a random route basis within sampling points. Quotas were established for age, gender and socio economic group with only one interview per household being undertaken. All fieldwork was conducted between 6 th and 12 th May 2005 (for the May omnibus), 12 th and 18 th August 2005 (for the August omnibus) and 9 th and 15 th November (for the November omnibus).
4. In each wave of the omnibus the achieved sample was split evenly across genders, with half being conducted with male respondents, and half with female respondents. A spread of ages was achieved in line with the population in Scotland and just under half of the interviews were undertaken with respondents in socio economic groups AB and C1, with the remainder being from C2DE socio economic groupings.
5. Overall nearly half of all respondents in the August 2005 omnibus reported that they were current smokers (47%), which was higher than in the May 2005 omnibus (36%). In November 2005 the proportion of current smokers was more in line with expectations at 38% and there were a similar number of respondents who stated that they had never smoked (42% in comparison with 41% in August and 45% in May 2005). A fifth of respondents in November reported that they used to smoke but had now stopped in comparison with 12% in August and 19% in May 2005.
6. Amongst those who were currently employed in the November 2005 omnibus, about a quarter (26% compared with 25% in August and 30% in May 2005) were employed in workplaces that had designated areas on the premises where people could smoke. In November a further fifth (21% compared with 24% in August and 29% in May 2005) had designated smoking areas outside the premises. Over a third in November (35% compared with 32% in August and 26% in May 2005) stated that smoking was not allowed anywhere within their place of work.
7. With regards to the smoking 'policy' in the household, 42% in November (46% in August and 41% in May 2005) did not permit smoking anywhere in the home. There were a further 33% of November respondents who allowed smoking throughout (30% in August and 28% in May 2005). About a quarter in November stated that smoking was allowed in the home but only in certain rooms (23% in August and 29% in May 2005).
Summary of main findings
8. Overall, there continued to be a high level of awareness of the new legislation that would make enclosed public places smoke-free (92% in November, 93% in August and 90% in May 2005). In addition, spontaneous awareness of the date when the smoking ban will be introduced (new for the November omnibus) was low (8% with 81% unsure), although upon prompting 42% correctly identified that it is 26 th March 2006.
9. Perceptions of the risk associated with passive smoking remained consistent in the November 2005 survey with 90% of respondents (compared to 85% in August and 83% in May 2005) perceiving that passive smoking and second-hand smoke posed an extremely great health risk (39%), a great risk (29%) or a medium health risk (22%). Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of smokers perceived passive smoking as an extremely great health risk both in November (21%) and August (20%) compared to May 2005 (11%). The same was also true in relation to ex-smokers (45% in November and 34% in August compared to 20% in May 2005).
10. Again, the majority of the sample also agreed with the belief that action should be taken to reduce people's exposure to passive smoking and second hand smoke (74% agreement). This too was consistent with the August and May 2005 findings where 73% and 74% respectively were in agreement.
11. Support for the new law also remained consistent in the November 2005 survey. Overall, over half of respondents again stated they supported the new law (58% in November and August compared to 56% in May 2005). Support was attributed to a wide range of factors including the cleaner air / environment (19%) and disliking smoking (18%). Those who did not support the new law put forward a range of reasons including that they enjoyed smoking (19%) or felt the government should not be telling them what to do (12%).
12. The significant increase in support for the new law reported amongst smokers was maintained in the November 2005 survey with 27% in favour compared to 33% in August and 19% in May 2005. Ex-smokers also continued to express greater support for the new law (73% in November and 76% in August V's 64% in May 2005).
13. In each wave of research the respondents anticipated that the new legislation would impact on them in a range of ways. The more positive potential consequences of the new law included providing cleaner and safer environments for all and that it would be better for people's health and would help to make socialising more enjoyable. However, a smaller proportion perceived that the new law would have 'no impact' on them (7% in November compared with 41% in August 2005 and 21% in May 2005).
14. In November 2005 only 7% felt that the new law would help them to stop smoking altogether which is comparable with May 2005 (6%) but lower than August 2005 (14%). However, as in previous research, over half of current smokers felt that the new legislation would have no effect on the amount they smoke (62% in November, 56% in August and 57% in May 2005).
15. Although awareness levels of recent advertising about health risks of passive smoking were again fairly mixed, recall of any advertising was maintained in November 2005 at 52% (compared to 55% in August and 48% in May 2005). Although many of those in the May 2005 omnibus who recalled seeing or hearing something could not elaborate beyond 'Scottish Executive ad on TV', a greater proportion of those recalling advertising in August and to a lesser extent November 2005 recalled elements that reflected the content of recent advertising campaigns highlighting the dangers of passive smoking or second-hand smoke (the NHS Health Scotland television campaign in particular).