By Tammy Gay

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"Public policy making requires consensus among decision makers. These findings reveal that there is consensus among Kentucky lawmakers that we should reduce the state's dependence on tobacco and strengthen laws to minimize the harm caused by the use of tobacco products."

- University of Kentucky College of Nursing Associate Professor Ellen Hahn, D.N.S.

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Two confidential interviews were conducted in person with 115 members (84 percent) of the Kentucky General Assembly. The lawmakers were asked questions concerning tobacco farming, including farm diversification, agricultural infrastructure and the federal price support program. They also were asked their opinions on tobacco control, including issues related to youth access, clean indoor air, marketing/advertising, smoking cessation, excise taxes, and litigation.

"Public policy making requires consensus among decision makers," Hahn said. "These findings reveal that there is consensus among Kentucky lawmakers that we should reduce the state's dependence on tobacco and strengthen laws to minimize the harm caused by the use of tobacco products."

Hahn used a Delphi technique, which included asking how reliable a statistic or estimate was; how desirable or advisable a certain policy was; and how likely that specific option would be adopted by the Kentucky General Assembly.

The study found:

• Support among Kentucky legislators for elements of tobacco control such as stronger youth access laws, restrictions on indoor smoking, limits on tobacco promotions to children, and increased availability of smoking cessation programs.
• Differences in opinions between tobacco allotment owners and non-owners on tobacco policy. Legislators with financial ties to tobacco also were more likely to use tobacco products and less supportive of farm diversification and tobacco control policies.
• Democrats interviewed were more supportive of tobacco advertising and marketing restrictions and cigarette tax increases than Republican lawmakers.
• Support for policies that would reduce the state's dependence on tobacco.

"The findings will be shared with members of the Kentucky General Assembly, as well as widely disseminated among health and agriculture groups in Kentucky," Hahn said. "I hope that the findings will give members of the General Assembly guidance as they make decisions about how to appropriate tobacco settlement dollars that are in the best interest of public health and that also promote the sustainability of rural communities."

Of the 115 legislators who took part in both interviews,
80 percent remained Kentucky lawmakers after last fall's elections.