AUGUSTA – Schools should do more to help students get healthy, and many want the state to do more to help citizens get healthy, a poll released Monday showed.
That poll was released the same day that Gov. John Baldacci’s office proposed a new health plan for Maine that targeted disease prevention by helping Mainers become healthier.
One poll question asked people whether they agree that the state is doing enough to promote healthy lifestyles, including eating and exercise. Only 16 percent said yes; 42 percent said no; 42 percent were unsure.
Another question asked whether people agreed that schools are doing enough to promote exercise and healthy eating among students. Only 20 percent agreed; 44 percent said no; and 33 percent were undecided.
The poll was paid for and released Monday by the Coalition on Smoking or Health. That group has traditionally opposed tobacco, and recently decided to work on obesity. “We’re evolving,” said director Carol Kelly.
Also Monday, the group honored three legislators who helped pass laws that will make Maine healthier, Kelly said.
Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, was given an award for a new anti-obesity law she worked on. Craven’s bill requires schools to post calorie information on some foods sold in a-la-carte programs. In an effort to cut down on unhealthy food in schools, Craven’s law also directs the Department of Education to set standards for healthy portion sizes, sugar and fat content for food and drinks sold in schools.
Sen. Michael Brennan and Rep. Glenn Cummings, both Democrats from Portland, were honored for leading an effort to double Maine’s cigarette taxes. The higher cigarette tax was popular with health leaders, but unpopular with smokers.
In another poll question, 67 percent said they favored the state’s requiring chain restaurants to post nutrition information on menu or menu boards.
Craven sponsored a bill last session that would have mandated that chain restaurants post that information for consumers. After the bill was opposed by restaurants, it was killed.
The poll result “should help the Maine Legislature understand that this is not such a far-fetched idea,” Kelly said.
The polling was paid for by the Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health, and conducted by Critical Insights of Portland.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.