Winooski Tobacco and Alcohol Advertising 2018-19 Survey results

The results are in! From December 2018 to April 2019, Winooski Partnership for Prevention distributed a survey on social media and at community events to collect Winooski residents’ attitudes on tobacco and alcohol advertising within the city.

What was the major takeaway? The majority of people would like to see fewer advertisements for tobacco, 87.5%, and alcohol, 78.8%, overall in Winooski.

Demographics of Respondents

Of the 106 responses we received, 74.5% were Winooski residents, 9.4% Winooski employees, and the remainder were Chittenden County residents.

90% of the respondents did not use tobacco products, but 71% said they used alcohol products. 26.4% were between the ages of 25-34, 23.1% between 35-44, 17.6% between 45-54, and 24.2% between 55-64.

Results

More than half, 57%, believe tobacco advertising should not be allowed in stores. Of those who believe it should, 68.6% said advertising should be limited to behind the counter.

Even a higher percentage of respondents, 79%, believe tobacco advertising should not be allowed outside stores.

Respondents were more divided on alcohol advertising within stores, with 49% saying it shouldn’t be allowed. They were much less divided about outdoor alcohol advertising, with 69% saying it shouldn’t be.

The majority of people would like to see fewer advertisements for tobacco, 87.5%, and alcohol, 78.8%, overall in Winooski.

When it comes to restricting advertisements in different types of stores - grocery stores, pharmacies, corner stores, and gas stations - people favored restricting in grocery stores and pharmacies, with more than 85% support for tobacco ad restrictions and more than 72% for alcohol ad restrictions.

The responses to whether tobacco and alcohol advertising targets youth and other certain groups, such as minorities and low-income folks, and encourages them to drink shows a need for further education among community residents about the substance industry and their tactics for recruiting lifelong customers.