The role of public opinion polling in health legislation

Two public opinion polls, in Los Angeles and Michigan, on smoking in public places contradicted findings from other major surveys. Both were commissioned by the tobacco interests during consideration of non-smoking legislation to measure opinion and influence the outcome. Analysis reveals the two po...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 1987-05, Vol.77 (5), p.612-614
Main Authors: Perlstadt, H, Holmes, R E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
California
Data Collection - methods
Health and social institutions
Humans
Legislation
Legislation as Topic
Medical sciences
Michigan
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Public Opinion
Smoking
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Summary:Two public opinion polls, in Los Angeles and Michigan, on smoking in public places contradicted findings from other major surveys. Both were commissioned by the tobacco interests during consideration of non-smoking legislation to measure opinion and influence the outcome. Analysis reveals the two polls to be remarkably similar and in violation of basic principles of survey research. Response categories lacked objective or parallel phrasing, response lists were not rotated, and the ordering of items appeared prejudicial. Both polls were effectively countered and the legislation passed.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.77.5.612