STATE LEGISLATORS ATTITUDES AND VOTING INTENTIONS TOWARD TOBACCO CONTROL LEGISLATION

Objectives. This study describes state legislators' knowledge, attitud es, and voting intentions with regard to tobacco-related issues. Metho ds. A cross-sectional survey of state legislators was conducted in Nor th Carolina, Texas, and Vermont in 1994. Results. Most legislators agr eed that secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in nonsmokers, and a m ajority believed that smokers are addicted to nicotine. More than 75% stated that they would support a measure to enforce laws preventing to bacco sales to youth. A majority of Texas and Vermont legislators supp orted an increase in the state cigarette excise lax; 43% of North Caro lina legislators would support an increase if revenues were directed t oward tobacco farmer diversification. Conclusions. State legislators b elieve tobacco to be addictive, and they support policies to protect y outh from tobacco. Support for other legislative measures differs sign ificantly across states.