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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cameron cannabis no big deal - poll
Press Association
Thursday 15 Feb 2007 A large majority of voters do not care if Tory leader David Cameron smoked cannabis at school or university, according to an opinion poll. But he would face public censure if it emerged he had tried harder drugs or used any narcotics once he left education and began work, it suggested. Mr Cameron has not confirmed or denied reports in a new biography that he was disciplined for drug use while a pupil at the exclusive Eton College. While admitting doing things in his youth he regrets, he insists that politicians are "entitled to a past that remains private". His stance has received the backing not only of shadow cabinet colleagues but political rivals such as Home Secretary John Reid who dismissed it as "one of those 'so what?' moments". The Populus survey for The Times newspaper backs that analysis - finding that 81% thought such drug use at school or university by politicians did not matter. A higher proportion - 85% - agreed MPs should not have to answer questions about such activity because politicians were entitled to "have made mistakes when they were growing up". Almost two thirds (64%), however, said it would matter if "more serious" drugs were involved and 71% would be concerned if any drug use had carried on into working life. Younger voters and men were more tolerant of past drug taking by politicians. Populus interviewed a random sample of 522 adults by telephone on February 13.
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