93.6 percent of Ulster residents believe secondhand smoke is harmful
 |
90 percent of Ulster residents said their patronage to restaurants will increase or will not change if smoking is completely removed from local restaurants
|
84.9 percent of Ulster residents said their patronage to local bars and taverns will increase or will not change if smoking is completely removed
|
87.4 percent of Ulster residents said their patronage to local bowling alleys will increase or will not change if smoking is completely banned
|
Nearly 4 out of 5 residents think that restaurant patrons should not be allowed to smoke if it exposes the restaurant staff to secondhand smoke
|
The people who participated in the survey were frequent restaurant diners. 87.3 percent of those polled reported dined in "sit-down" establishments at least once a month. These participants rarely dined at fast food establishments.
|
Fewer than 1 in 10 people prefer to sit in the smoking section.
|
Less than 14 percent of those surveyed say they are not bothered by secondhand smoke.
|
98 percent think workers should not be exposed to such conditions
|
HOW THE SURVEY WAS TAKEN:
Calling, the Population, and the Sample
Calling took place November 14-17, 2002. A computer file of all registrants in Ulster County was obtained from the county Board of Elections. To make the population sampled as inclusive as possible, all registrants were included in the initial sample. From the initial sample, 405 randomly selected registrants completed the survey.
A crucial matter in assessing surveys is whether the sample contacted is typical of the population of interest. The table below compares the profile of county registrants and those completing surveys on various traits. The composition of the county by party, sex, and age are known, since this information is listed on the registration rolls. The table presents the county for these characteristics.
For example, the percentage of the county that is Republican, Independent, or Democrat (percentages sum down) is presented, followed by the partisan distribution among the sample contacted. Within the county, 32.7 % are Republicans and 30.2 % are Democrats. Of those who completed surveys, 30.2 % are Republican and 33.7 % are Democratic. The table also lists the distribution of the county for sex and age, and then that of those who completed the survey. The distribution within the county profile of the county and the sample are again very similar, suggesting that the sample is representative of the population of registered voters.
Comparison of All County Registrants and Sample
| County | Sample | |
| Party | ||
| Republican Independent |
32.7 29.9 30.2 |
30.2 28.5 33.7 |
| Sex | ||
| Female Male |
53.9 46.1 |
57.7 42.3 |
| Age | ||
| 18 - 29 30 - 44 45 - 59 60 plux |
14.7 26.0 30.2 29.0 |
10.2 24.0 33.9 31.9 |