Public perceptions of the tobacco-free generation in Tasmania: adults and adolescents

BACKGROUND: The tobacco-free generation (TFG) proposal advocates prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to people born after the year 2000. In a world-first, the Tasmanian parliament is considering this proposed legislation. Levels of public support for the proposal among adults and adolescents were investigated.

METHODS: Data were collected via 2 cross-sectional studies in 2014. 1 was a telephone survey of 600 randomly sampled Tasmanians aged 18 years or over, the other a pencil and paper survey of 1888 Tasmanian secondary school students aged 12-17 years. Regression models were used to examine characteristics associated with support for adults and adolescents, weighted to account for sampling and the Tasmanian population.

RESULTS: Support for the TFG proposal was 75% among Tasmanian adults. Majority support extends across all sociodemographic subgroups, including 72% of current smokers. Support was higher among females and those educated up to year 12. Of those aged 12-17 years, 68% supported the TFG proposal, including 64% of those born after the year 2000, who would be directly affected by the TFG proposal. Support was higher among non-smokers and those born before the year 2000.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: There is strong public support for the TFG proposal in Tasmania, even among smokers and people born after the year 2000.