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.