The smoking ban is supported by most Americans, according to the results of a Gallup poll.
According to the July 7-10 telephone survey, 59 percent of Americans are in support of banning smoking in public places. This question was first posed in 2001, when only 39 percent were in favor. The increase is indicative of the rise of anti-smoking sentiments in the U.S.
"A majority of Americans now support the concept of a full smoking ban in all public places, marking a significant change from four years ago, when Gallup last measured this attitude," said the pollster, who surveyed people from Princeton, New Jersey, as quoted by Reuters.
However, only 19 percent of respondents are in support of making smoking illegal in the U.S.
"Relatively few Americans support the idea of making all smoking illegal across the country, perhaps partly in recognition of the practical difficulties involved in enforcing such a ban,” said the pollster.
The poll also found that 22 percent of adults in the U.S. have smoked cigarettes in the previous week, a figure that has remained consistent over the last five years.
The results of the poll are based on a random sample of 1,016 participants over age 18 who live in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
