These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
30% Say Overweight Workers Should Pay More for Health Insurance
October 14, 2009
North Carolina is about to become the second state to penalize its employees for being obese, but just 30% of Americans favor making government workers who are overweight pay more for their health insurance.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% are opposed to making overweight government workers pay more for health coverage.
Adults are less sympathetic with smokers. Fifty percent (50%) support a plan that makes government workers who smoke pay more for their health 
A number of state insurance plans penalize smokers already, but Alabama in January of this year became the first state to charge overweight employees more for their health insurance coverage.
North Carolina proposes placing state employees who are overweight in a more expensive health insurance plan beginning in July 2011. According to the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer, "North Carolina officials, coping with a steady uptick in health-care costs for state employees each year, are aiming to improve state workers' health, which saves money in medical expenses."
Men are more supportive of so-called "fat fees" than women. Adults over the age of 40 like them more than younger adults.
In January , 70% of Americans said they opposed a national tax on all non-diet soft drinks to combat obesity.
Forty-one percent (41%) of Americans describe themselves as overweight .
But nearly half (49%) of adults say they exercise one to three times per week , and over half say their workout lasts at least 30 minutes.
When it comes to making state workers who smoke pay more for health insurance coverage, only 44% of government employees are in favor of it, compared to 52% of those working in the private sector. Support for the plan rises with the respondent's income level.
Married adults like the idea of smokers paying more for health insurance than those who are unmarried.
Eighteen percent (18%) of Americans smoke cigarettes . Thirty-four percent (34%) don't smoke now but used to. Eighty-four percent (84%) of all adults say smokers are conscious of the health risks from their use of tobacco.
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To view the original report, please us this link: Is This A Weighty Topic?