The Eurobarometer is a program commissioned by the European Commission to monitor public opinion in the European Union member countries. Topics vary with each series, and have included agriculture, energy, environment, gender roles, immigration, knowledge of foreign languages, poverty, public health, technology, and other special topics.

Eurobarometer 42 covered topics including: drug abuse, alcohol and smoking; specific diseases and medical conditions; trade, industry and markets; international politics and organizations; mass political behavior, attitudes and opinions; government, political systems and organizations; elections; consumption, consumer behaviour and economic systems and development.