Is There Really Majority Support for a Smoking Sales Ban?
Exclusive polling for the MailOnline, conducted with Redfield & Wilton, led to the striking headline that "Brits Back Ban on Smoking". Considering there isn't a great deal of public debate around the issue, nor many strong calls for a ban, it's a finding that's worth questioning. The poll first asked if voters support or oppose "an immediate, outright ban on cigarette sales". 31% strongly supported this, with total support of 52%. It's a strong margin, especially when just 24% are in opposition.
The question is balanced, fair, and certainly informative. Though, as always, there may be scope for these numbers to change were it posed differently. Firstly, it's worth noting this specifically on a sales ban - rather than a limit on consumption. The poll hasn't found majority support for a general smoking ban. The phrasing might also be made less appealing had it focussed on the practical execution, instead of the abstract policy itself. Even with this, it's unlikely that any shift would override support for greater restrictions.
The pollster then asked about views on phased bans of cigarette purchases, as used by New Zealand. They contextualised it as such:
"New Zealand is gradually raising the age at which cigarettes can be purchased to phase in a complete ban on the sale and purchase of cigarettes. To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose the UK Government adopting this policy?"
Responses to this were even more supportive, with 73% opting for the policy and just 10% opposing it. Again, it points to public appetite for restrictions. This support was near universal - and there was no clear relationship between support for the policy and either age or 2019 vote. In every group weighted for by the pollster, the policy had majority support.
The absence of political polarisation on the issue perhaps speaks to one primary caveat to the finding - smoking restrictions are not top of voters' priorities. Labour has recently said they could consult on a ban, though voters aren't particularly animated by the issue. Although there is support for a cigarette sales bans, it's not a cut and dry vote winner.
