This document contains the results of a survey of Irish adults on various policy issues. Some key findings include: - Nearly three quarters (73%) support small business rate relief, and nearly 8 in 10 (78%) support the government increasing lending targets. Over 8 in 10 (86%) support tougher sentences for shoplifters and assaults on retail workers. - Opinions are more divided on a minimum price per unit of alcohol, with nearly half (47%) in support and a third (32%) opposed. - Large majorities believe it is easy for those under 18 to access cigarettes both in general (84%) and through the black market (80%). - Three quarters (73%) think plain

1. November 2014
S14-360
PK
NFRN Ireland
Presentation
A Presentation Prepared For:

2. 2
Sample Profile
Quotas are set in place on gender, age, region and social class to ensure that the overall sample is aligned with adult population aged 18+ based on CSO Census figures.
49
17
48
28
51
22
52
26
19
28
16
18
26
Male
Female
18-24
55+
25-34
35-44
ABC1 F50+
C2DE F50-
%
%
%
Dublin
Munster
Conn/Ulster
ROL
Sex
Social Class
Region
%
Age
45-55
(Base: All Irish adults 18+)

3. MAIN FINDINGS

4. Section 1:
General Policy

5. 5
34
39
18
6
3
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Small Business Rate Relief
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)
Nearly three quarters (73%) are supportive of small business rate relief. This attitude is similar across demographics.
Q.1
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
9%
Very supportive
73%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
70
75
71
73
68
76
73
74
74
71
69
75
70
%
%
Demographics

6. 6
36
42
18
3
1
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Government Increasing Lending Targets
Nearly 8-in-10 are supportive of the Government increasing lending targets with supporting increasing with age (69% among 18-24’s and 84% among 55+’s)
Q.2
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
4%
Very supportive
78%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
81
76
69
72
79
83
84
78
81
77
77
80
77
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

7. 7
63
23
12
2
-
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Tougher Sentences for Shoplifters/ Offence for Assault of Retail Worker
Over 8-in-10 (86%) are supportive of tougher sentences for prolific shoplifters and the creation of a specific offence for assault against retail workers. Again this attitude is stronger among older adults (96% for those aged 55+)
Q.3
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
2%
Very supportive
86%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
84
88
78
77
84
90
96
86
83
88
88
86
86
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

8. 8
24
23
21
16
16
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Support for a Minimum Unit Price on Alcohol
Just less than half (47%) would support a minimum price per unit of alcohol while a third (32%) are opposed to this. Again, those aged 55+ are more likely to support this (54%)
Q.4
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
32%
Very supportive
47%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
43
50
39
42
45
46
54
45
46
47
49
46
48
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

9. 9
49
24
16
7
4
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Combating the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
Three quarters (73%) support combating illicit trade in tobacco products. This drops to 63% among those aged 63% and rises to 82% for those aged 55+.
Q.5
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
11%
Very supportive
73%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
70
75
63
64
70
79
82
76
70
74
69
77
69
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

10. 10
34
36
27
2
1
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Widening of the Remit of the Office of the Ombudsman to Include Small Businesses
7-in-10 support the widening of the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman to include Small Businesses. Again this is lowest among the younger cohort (54%) and highest among those aged 55+ (85%).
Q.6
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
3%
Very supportive
70%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
69
72
54
64
62
73
85
70
72
71
67
71
70
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

11. 11
37
25
19
10
9
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Consider Alternatives to Plain Packaging, e.g. Education Programmes to Reduce Youth Smoking
6-in-10 Irish adults support the delay of plain-packaging in exchange for greater education to young people on this topic, while nearly a fifth (19%) are opposed to this.
Q.7
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
19%
Very supportive
62%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
59
65
63
61
63
63
62
61
60
68
60
63
62
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

12. 12
22
30
38
7
3
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Reducing Retail Licence and Inspections Required by Businesses
Half (52%) of Irish adults support reducing retail licence and inspections required by businesses. This is highest among those aged 55+ (60%).
Q.8
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
10%
Very supportive
52%
Somewhat supportive
Neither/Nor
Somewhat opposed
Very opposed
52
52
44
47
55
48
60
53
52
54
48
52
52
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

13. Section 2: Illicit Trade

14. 14
Troubling Aspects of the Black Market in Cigarettes – I
Two thirds (65%) rank increased criminality in their top 3 most troublesome outcomes of the black market in cigarettes. The concerns that it funds illegal activity (57%) and that it increases the ease of access for minors (54%) are not far behind.
Q.1
Increased criminality
Funding illegal activity
Ease of access to tobacco for minors
Paramilitary links to illicit tobacco trade
Loss of jobs in the legitimate retail sector
Loss of government revenue
Undermining of government health policies
17
15
27
8
11
15
7
26
16
15
17
12
8
7
22
26
12
17
9
7
7
1st
2nd
3rd
(65)
(57)
(54)
(42)
(32)
(30)
(21)
Total
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

15. 15
Troubling Aspects of the Black Market in Cigarettes – II (Demographics)
%
Male
Female
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+
Dub
ROL
MUN
CONN
/ULST
ABC1F50+
C2DEF50-
Increased criminality
67
65
65
62
70
73
62
62
71
64
67
68
64
Funding illegal activity
54
59
59
54
57
63
54
58
61
53
54
59
54
Ease of access to tobacco for minors
46
61
66
52
58
51
49
51
52
56
57
52
55
Paramilitary links to illicit tobacco trade
43
39
31
39
33
44
50
43
40
38
41
39
42
Loss of jobs in the legitimate retail sector
32
32
32
33
35
28
31
29
32
36
31
29
35
Loss of government revenue
36
23
24
30
31
28
31
33
27
30
26
31
28
Undermining of government health policies
23
21
22
30
17
13
24
23
18
23
25
22
22
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

16. 16
11
21
21
20
29
58
73
59
60
63
46
22
Results of Plain Packaging – I
Three quarters (73%) feel plain packaging makes it easier to create counterfeits, while 6-in-10 say it will increase branded packs brought home from abroad, branded packs smuggled from abroad and cause people to turn to the black market. Nearly 6-in-10 (58%) feel plain packaging will not reduce smoking.
Q.2
No
Make it easier to produce counterfeit cigarettes
Result in people bring back more branded packs from their travels abroad
Lead to an increase in branded packs smuggled from abroad
Cause people to turn to the black market where they can access cheap, branded cigarettes
Lead to job losses in the legitimate retail sector
Reduction in the number of people smoking
Yes
Don’t know
16
20
19
17
25
20
%
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

17. 17
Results of Plain Packaging – II (Demographics for Yes)
%
Male
Female
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+
Dub
ROL
MUN
CONN
/ULST
ABC1F50+
C2DEF50-
Easier to produce counterfeit cigarettes
70
77
67
68
75
75
77
75
74
72
69
73
73
Result in people bring back more branded packs from abroad
57
61
57
49
61
61
65
59
55
60
62
59
59
Lead to an increase in branded packs smuggled from abroad
58
62
58
53
60
61
66
57
58
61
68
57
63
Cause people to turn to the black market where they can access cheap, branded cigarettes
62
63
60
57
62
64
67
61
64
62
64
60
65
Lead to job losses in the legitimate retail sector
45
47
41
41
40
48
55
38
47
51
49
43
48
Reduction in the number of people smoking
26
18
15
31
25
21
17
24
22
19
24
24
20
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

18. 18
48
36
11
4
1
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Ease of Access of Under 18 Year Olds to Cigarettes in General
Over 8-in-10 (84%) believe it is easy for people under 18 to access cigarettes in general with all demographic groups agreeing with this.
Q.4
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
5%
Very easy
84%
Somewhat easy
Neither/Nor
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
81
88
87
80
82
83
88
82
87
85
82
87
81
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

19. 19
47
33
15
4
1
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Ease of Access of Under 18 Year Olds to Cigarettes on the Black Market
8-in-10 believe it is easy for minors to access cigarettes through the black market, although the youngest group are least likely to agree (68%) meaning older adults may over-estimate in this regard.
Q.4
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
5%
Very easy
80%
Somewhat easy
Neither/Nor
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
83
77
68
75
85
80
85
80
83
80
75
79
81
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

20. 20
18
40
17
21
4
Region
–Dublin
–ROL
–Munster
–Conn/Ulster
Social Class
–ABC1
–C2DE
Ease of Access of Under 18 Year Olds to Cigarettes Through Legitimate Retailers
6-in-10 believe it is easy for minor to access cigarettes through legitimate retailers, while this is still very high, it is lower than through the black market (80%). A quarter (25%) believe this would be difficult.
Q.5
Gender
–Male
–Female
Age
–18-24
–25-34
–35-44
–45-54
–55+
%
25%
Very easy
58%
Somewhat easy
Neither/Nor
Somewhat difficult
Very difficult
56
62
63
57
57
57
60
52
63
62
56
61
56
%
%
Demographics
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

21. 21
Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Underage Smoking (Ranked by Effectiveness)
Over 4-in-10 (43%) rank youth education as the most effective approach for reducing underage smoking. Over a quarter (27%) say we should make it illegal to purchase cigarettes for minors, while 14% think larger health warnings are best.
Q.6
Youth Education
Make it legal for people 18 and over to purchase cigarettes for minors i.e. ban proxy purchases
Larger health warnings
Plain packaging
Banning specific products such as Menthols and Slims
Clamping down on the illicit cigarette trade
43
27
14
7
5
4
20
25
19
19
5
12
16
18
22
20
8
15
9
10
19
24
18
19
5
7
14
21
28
25
7
12
11
9
36
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

22. 22
Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Underage Smoking – Demographics (Rank 1)
%
Male
Female
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+
Dub
ROL
MUN
CONN
/ULST
ABC1F50+
C2DEF50-
Youth Education
46
40
31
41
49
49
42
42
45
43
42
43
44
Make it legal for people 18 and over to purchase cigarettes for minors i.e. ban proxy purchases
21
33
36
22
23
30
28
28
23
29
30
28
26
Larger health warnings
14
14
11
15
12
12
18
15
16
13
13
14
14
Plain packaging
8
6
12
9
8
4
5
7
6
8
7
7
7
Banning specific products such as Menthols and Slims
7
3
4
9
4
3
4
4
6
4
6
4
6
Clamping down on the illicit cigarette trade
4
5
7
4
4
2
4
5
4
4
3
4
4
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

23. 23
Developing Policies Aimed at Reducing Smoking Rates – Factors for the Government to Consider
Over half of Irish adults (56%) say the number one thing the Government should do is look to evidence from other countries for measures that reduce smoking.
Q.7
Evidence from other countries that such measures will reduce smoking
Possible impact of measures on the black market
Desire to be a leader in new experimental policies
Possible impact of such measures on jobs in the retail sector
Possible impact of such measures on government revenue
56
15
14
10
5
16
28
26
18
12
10
26
15
31
17
9
18
21
29
23
9
13
24
12
43
1
2
3
4
5
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)

24. 24
Developing Policies Aimed at Reducing Smoking Rate – Factors for the Government to Consider Demographics – Rank I
(Base: All Irish adults 18+ - 1,001)
%
Male
Female
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+
Dub
ROL
MUN
CONN
/ULST
ABC1F50+
C2DEF50-
Evidence from other countries that such measures will reduce smoking
50
61
56
49
53
63
59
57
54
54
59
59
53
Possible impact of measures on the black market
17
12
16
17
17
12
13
14
14
16
16
13
16
Desire to be a leader in new experimental policies
18
11
13
19
17
13
11
16
14
15
12
16
13
Possible impact of such measures on jobs in the retail sector
10
10
10
12
7
8
12
7
13
10
9
8
12
Possible impact of such measures on government revenue
5
5
5
4
7
5
5
6
5
5
5
4
6