In January 2007, The Patient Poll from the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society asked, “When you go out to eat, what do you prefer?” Participants were given four options: a smoke-free restaurant, a restaurant with a non-smoking section, a restaurant with a smoking section, or it doesn’t matter.
A combined 70 percent said they prefer a smoke-free restaurant or a non-smoking section with 56 percent specifying a smoke-free restaurant. Only 15.5 percent of respondents indicated they prefer a smoking section. The remaining participants indicated that it did not matter to them.
“Based upon our Patient Poll, the majority of Pennsylvanians are looking to avoid smoke when they dine out,” said Peter Lund, MD, founder of the Institute for Good Medicine.
And, those looking to avoid tobacco smoke have good reason to do so.
“Whether you’re talking about the smoker or those who endure second-hand smoke,” Mark A. Piasio, MD, MBA, past president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said, “the impact of tobacco smoke increases the risk of cancer for all. And, that’s just one of the risks involved.”
Dr. Piasio adds that the Pennsylvania Medical Society has made available on its Family Health and Wellness website a calculator for smokers to learn how much they smoke per year, how much they spend per year on cigarettes, and other costs that might not be easily calculated such as illnesses and early death.
The Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society recommends the following websites for additional information.
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Patient Poll Data
|
| Question |
When you go out to eat, what do you prefer? |
| Results |
A smoke-free restaurant
|
A restaurant with a non-smoking section
|
A restaurant with a smoking section
|
It doesn’t matter
|
|
55.9%
|
13.8%
|
15.5%
|
14.8%
|
| Conducted |
Jan. 10, 2007 |
| Margin of Error |
5.67% |
| Eligibility |
Pennsylvania adults 21 or older |
| Survey Consultants |
Taylor Brand Group |