New Drug Policy Alliance/Zogby Poll Finds 45 Percent Support Making Cigarettes Illegal

For Immediate Release: October 23. 2006 For More Info: Tony Newman at (646) 335-5384 New Drug Policy Alliance/Zogby Poll Finds 45 Percent Support Making Cigarettes Illegal -- Startling Numbers to be Discussed via Teleconference on Thursday, October 26 at 11:30 a.m. EST A new Zogby Poll commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance asked a sampling of 1,200 Americans if they would support federal legislation making cigarettes illegal in five to ten years. The startling results will be released and discussed by Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, and others on a teleconference on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. EST. What: Teleconference releasing new Zogby Poll by the Drug Policy Alliance. The question asks Americans if they would support a federal law making cigarettes illegal within five to ten years. When: Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. (EST) Who: Ethan Nadelmann, executive director, Drug Policy Alliance Norm Stamper, former Police Chief of Seattle and member, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) Allan Rosenfield, dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University How: Call in number: 877-270-2156 Password: Zogby “The number of Americans who support criminalizing cigarette smokers is shocking,” said Nadelmann. “The question is not if cigarette smoking is dangerous and leads to premature death – as, surely, it is and does. The question is how to best address cigarette smoking as a public health problem. Based on history and current policies, we know that prohibition often leads to devastating consequences.” The Drug Policy Alliance is the nation’s leading organization working to advance drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. The Zogby Poll, a Drug Policy Alliance press release and background material will be available at http://www.drugpolicy.org following the teleconference.