Voters strongly support the proposal to ban smoking in pubs and restaurants from January 1st next, although smokers and non-smokers are predictably divided on the issue, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll.
Some 59 per cent agree with the ban, which the Minister for Health has said he will implement from next January. A further 36 per cent disagree with the proposal, while 5 per cent have no opinion.
Smokers and non-smokers diverge strongly on the issue, although a significant minority of each group has some tolerance of the other. Among non-smokers, 73 per cent agree with the proposal, 21 per cent disagree and 6 per cent have no opinion. Among smokers, 28 per cent support a ban, 67 per cent disagree and 5 per cent have no opinion.
Some 32 per cent of respondents said they smoked, which is in line with official estimates.
Support for the ban is highest among older people, with 69 per cent of those aged over 65 supporting it, 23 per cent opposed and 8 per cent having no opinion. Support slips steadily among the younger age groups. The youngest 18-24 cohort is evenly divided, with 49 per cent in favour, 49 per cent against and 2 per cent with no opinion.
This reflects the pattern of smoking among different age groups, with a dramatic decline in smoking the older people get. Almost half of the 18-24 group smokes while just under a quarter of those over 65 smoke.
There are also substantial differences in the incidence of smoking among supporters of different parties. Some 67 per cent of Sinn Féin voters smoke while just 20 per cent of PD voters smoke, the poll shows.
Figures for smoking among supporters of other parties are Labour (40 per cent), Fianna Fáil (34 per cent), Fine Gael (33 per cent) and Green Party (26 per cent).
There is stronger support for a smoking ban among women than among men.
Some 62 per cent of women support it, 33 per cent are opposed with 5 per cent having no opinion.
Among men, 55 per cent are in favour, 39 per cent against and 6 per cent have no opinion.
Some 62 per cent of the better off ABC1 social group support the ban, 34 per cent are against and 4 per cent has no opinion.
Support is lower among the less well off C2DE group with 53 per cent supporting it, 40 per cent against and 7 per cent having no opinion.