Connecticut (CT) Poll * February 17, 2006 * Connecticut Voters Say Ban Sod - Quinnipiac University

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February 17, 2006 - Connecticut Voters Say Ban Soda In Schools, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Children's Obesity Is Serious Problem, 93% Say

By a 68 - 25 percent margin, Connecticut voters support a proposal to ban the sale of soda in schools statewide, with consistent support across the political spectrum, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Obesity among children and teens is a "very serious" problem, 54 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll, while another 39 percent say the problem is "somewhat serious" and 4 percent say "not serious."
A ban on soda in schools would reduce the obesity problem "a lot," 20 percent say, while 52 percent say "a little" and 27 percent say "not at all."
Nine percent of Connecticut voters with children under 18 say they have at least one child who is seriously overweight.
"The ban on soda in Connecticut schools looks like an idea whose time has come: Men back it more than 2 -1 and women back it more than 3 -1, even though most people don't think it will be very effective curbing obesity in children and teenagers," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
"Nine out of 10 Connecticut voters say obesity among young people is a serious problem and one in 10 parents of children under 18 say the problem strikes close to home."
From February 10 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 957 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks
24. As you may know, there is a proposal in the state legislature to ban the sale of soda in all Connecticut public schools. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
Have kids Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom In School Support 68% 66% 69% 69% 64% 73% 69% Oppose 25 32 24 22 30 21 24 DK/NA 6 2 6 9 7 6 7
25. Thinking about the problem of obesity, that is people being seriously overweight, how serious is the problem of obesity among children and teens in Connecticut today? Very serious, somewhat serious, or not serious?
Have kids Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom In School Very serious 54% 46% 57% 54% 48% 59% 50% Smwht serious 39 46 34 40 43 35 42 Not serious 4 4 5 4 5 4 6 DK/NA 3 4 3 2 3 3 2
26. How much do you think banning the sale of soda in public schools will do to reduce the problem of obesity in children - a lot, a little, or not at all?
Have kids Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom In School A lot 20% 16% 23% 20% 15% 24% 17% A little 52 53 51 52 52 51 49 Not at all 27 32 25 27 32 23 33 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 -
27. Do you have any children under the age of 18?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 35% 38% 37% 30% 36% 34% No 65 62 63 70 64 66 DK/NA - - - - - -
28. (If have children under 18) Would you consider any of your children to be seriously overweight?
HAVE CHILDREN UNDER 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Have kids Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom In School Yes 9% 4% 14% 7% 5% 12% 10% No 91 96 86 93 95 88 90 DK/NA - - - - - - -