A recent poll conducted by BC-based Research Co. has determined that most Vancouver Islanders look down on those who smoke cigarettes, marijuana or e-cigarettes (vapes).
According to a study done by the University of Waterloo, the prevalence of smoking has been on the decline since 2001.
Research Co.’s poll supported these findings with the majority of Vancouver Islanders saying they do not smoke.
The poll found that only 21% of respondents had admitted to smoking a cigarette within the last year, 3% said they have chewed tobacco, 25% said they smoked marijuana, 24% admitted to having taken marijuana as an edible, 13% said they smoked vapes and 56% claimed they had not done any of these in the past year.
When it comes to smoking in public places, there are several policies and regulations that have been put in place dictating where people can and cannot smoke.
Respondents were asked how they feel about these regulations and a vast majority agree with what has already been put in place on the matter.
The poll found that 88% of Vancouver Island residents agree that people should not be allowed to smoke in indoor public spaces and on transit, 80% agreed that people should not be able to smoke in a car with children in it, 62% agreed that people should not be able to smoke in parks and on beaches and 88% agreed that smoking in schools is wrong.
When asked about these same regulations, but regarding vaping instead of smoking, the respondents’ answers were similar, but a bit more relaxed.
Research Co.’s data shows that 80% of respondents agreed vaping in public spaces is wrong, 77% said vaping in a car with a child is wrong, 59% prefer people don’t vape on beaches or in parks and 82% agreed that vaping in schools should not be acceptable.
When it comes to potential legislation, 71% of respondents from Vancouver Island said smoking in multi-family buildings should be illegal and 66% said vaping in multi-family homes should be illegal.
Respondents were also asked whether they would consider dating someone who smoked, smoked marijuana or vaped.
According to the poll’s results, 64% of Vancouver Islanders would not date a smoker, 41% said they would not date someone who smoked marijuana and 55% said they would not date someone who vaped.
Overall, Vancouver Islanders seem to look down on smokers and vapers, while accepting those who smoke marijuana more favourably.
Research Co. says that results from this poll are based on an online survey conducted from July 13th to July 15th, among 814 adults from around British Columbia.
The data collected is statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia.
