General Lifestyle

51% Believe E-Cigarettes Should Be Regulated by Federal Government

The federal Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules for electronic cigarettes, and half of Americans agree the government should regulate this new smoking habit. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults believe electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the federal government the same way traditional cigarettes are. Thirty percent (30%) disagree. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 26-27, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

23% Think Schools Assign Too Much Homework

Most Americans think homework is a good measure of a student's performance, but only one-in-three feel that students today are getting the right amount of take-home work. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults believe that homework is at least somewhat important in assessing a student's overall performance in school, including 40% who say it’s Very Important. Just 11% think homework is not very or Not At All Important in measuring student performance. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 22-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Oppose Affirmative Action in College Admissions, 25% Favor

The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld a Michigan law that prohibits the use of race as a determining factor in college admissions. Half of Americans agree with that decision, and even more think it’s better for colleges and universities to put the emphasis on ability, not race.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults favor applying affirmative action policies to college admissions, unchanged from May of last year.  Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, up from 44% in the previous survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 22-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

46% Are Not Willing To Pay More for a Cleaner Environment

Although a sizable number of Americans think the environment is getting worse, most don’t believe their fellow countrymen are willing to make major lifestyle changes to do something about it. Nearly half aren’t willing to pay a cent more to do so.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults believe major lifestyle cutbacks are necessary in order to save the environment. That’s down slightly from 51% in April 2010. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and say major lifestyle cutbacks are not necessary. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

84% Consider the Level of Prom Spending Too High

Prom season is upon us, and it seems the days of cheap tuxedos and having your parents drop you and your date off at the school gym are long gone. A recent study conducted by VISA says the national average for prom spending in 2013 was $1,139 per family.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of American Adults think spending that much for a high school prom is too much, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just two percent (2%) say it's not enough, while nine percent (9%) consider the current level of spending about right. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

68% Say Frivolous Lawsuits Are Driving Up Health Care, Insurance Costs

Americans think it’s too easy to file a lawsuit nowadays, and even more still believe dubious lawsuits are driving up the price of health care, insurance and other products and services.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults feel it’s too easy to file a lawsuit in the United States, although that's down nine points from 53% in October 2012. Sixteen percent (16%) say it’s too hard, while 22% think the level of difficult is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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This survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

78% View Politicians As Less Ethical Than Those in Other Professions

Most Americans think their fellow countrymen try to live ethical lives, but they don’t believe many of those in several top professions measure up.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults believe most Americans try to do the right thing and live their lives in an ethical fashion.  Just 27% disagree, but 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on April 8-9, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Think There Are Too Many Lawyers in U.S.

Most Americans still think there are too many lawyers in the country today, and they’re not happy that they make up the majority of Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think there are too many lawyers in America, although that’s down slightly from 60% in 2012. Just nine percent (9%) feel like there are not enough lawyers. Nineteen percent (19%) say the number of lawyers is about right, but 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Ellen, Colbert Are Leading Favorites for Letterman Job

David Letterman announced last week that he would be officially retiring from hosting duties of CBS-TV's The Late Show next year. Americans are closely divided as to who should take his place.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults share a somewhat favorable opinion of Letterman, including 13% with a Very Favorable opinion of the late night host.  Thirty-three percent (33%) view him somewhat unfavorably, with 14% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Letterman. (For survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

73% View Girl Scouts Favorably

It’s spring which means it’s time to stock up on Thin Mints. Over half of Americans bought Girl Scout cookies this year and continue to have a favorable opinion of the organization behind the popular treats.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults view the Girl Scouts of America at least somewhat favorably, including 29% with a Very Favorable opinion. Just 12% view the Girl Scouts somewhat or Very Unfavorably. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Favorables for Boy Scouts Fall to 59%

Favorable views of the Boy Scouts of America continue to decline, but American still strongly believe that scouting is good for young people.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Boy Scouts of America. However, this is down six points from 65% last May and a 14-point drop from 73% in February 2012.  Twenty-eight percent (28%) now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably.

The latest findings include 21% with a Very Favorable opinion, down from 40% two years ago, and 10% with a Very Unfavorable one.  Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% Are Concerned About the Safety of Vaccinations for Children

Americans remain almost evenly divided over the safety of childhood vaccines. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of vaccines for children, including 24% who are Very Concerned. Forty-five percent (45%) are not concerned about their safety, with19% who are Not At All Concerned. (For survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

39% See More Awareness and Detection As Reason for Rise in Autism Cases

Americans agree that autism is a serious problem but see more awareness and detection of the developmental disorder as the primary reason for the increased number of cases being reported by the federal government.

13% Are Very Likely To Buy or Lease a Car This Year

Looks like Americans aren’t in much more of a new car mood than they were last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 27% of American Adults think they are at least somewhat likely to buy or lease a new car in the next year. Seventy-one percent (71%) say they aren’t likely to be in the market for a car this year. This includes 13% who are Very Likely to buy or lease a car and 49% who are Not At All Likely to do so. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 23-24, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

20% Expect to Travel Less in 2014

Most Americans plan on traveling as much in 2014 as they did last year and are likely to do so behind the wheel of a car.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 19% of American Adults think they will be traveling more this year compared to 2013, while just as many (20%) expect to be traveling less. But 57% say their level of travel will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Think Real Cause of Malaysian Plane's Disappearance May Never Be Known

It’s been more than two weeks since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, and more Americans now think terrorism is behind the disappearance. But most don’t expect to ever find out what exactly happened to the missing plane.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe terrorism is the most likely cause of the disappearance of Flight 370. Just 10% think the disappearance is the result of a mechanical failure, while the same number (10%) believe human error is to blame. A sizable 27% think something else caused the aircraft’s disappearance, while another 20% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

69% Say Arrival of Spring Puts Them in a Better Mood

Winter feels like it may never end in many parts of the country, and most Americans agree that this has been one of the worst winters ever. Not surprisingly then, seven-out-of-10 say the arrival of spring today lifts their spirits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults rate the winter of 2013-2014 as one of the worst ever. Thirty percent (30%) think it was about the same as most winters, while 10% consider it one of the best. This past winter, multiple polar vortexes fell over much of the United States, bringing below freezing temperatures to every state. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 13-14, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Say Any Good Student Who Wants to Go to College Can Find a Way

Despite the ever-growing cost of attending college, most Americans think anyone who is qualified to go can find a way to do so. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think that, in America today, just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, but 14% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 7-8, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

62% Say It’s Very Important For Children to Grow Up in Two-Parent Home

Most Americans still believe it's better for children to grow up in a home with both parents, but parents believe this much more strongly than those who don't have kids. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 89% of American Adults feel it’s at least somewhat important that children grow up in a home with both parents, including 62% who say it’s Very Important. But the latter figure has been falling in surveys since June 2010 when 80% said it is Very Important for children to grow up with both parents. Still, just nine percent (9%) say it's not very or Not At All Important for children to grow up in a two-parent environment. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

20% Rate the News Media As Very Trustworthy

Most Americans still get their news from television and consider the news reported by the media generally trustworthy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults say they get most of their news from TV, including 40% who get it from cable news networks and 19% who get it from the traditional news networks. Twenty-eight percent (28%) use the Internet as their main source of news, while only seven percent (7%) still rely on print newspapers. Four percent (4%) get most of their news from radio. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.