Abstract
Introduction: Vegan diets are gaining attention for their potential ethical, environmental, and health benefits. However, public opinion on veganism is highly diverse. Objective: This study used a questionnaire to explore perceptions, beliefs concerning animal sentience and welfare, and the willingness to adopt a vegan diet among individuals from different age groups, genders, and dietary backgrounds. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 357 participants after excluding responses where consent was not provided. The questionnaire gathered data on demographics, dietary habits, ethical beliefs about animals, and openness to a vegan lifestyle. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical tests were two-tailed. Results: The sample (n=59) was 50.8% female and 45.8% male, with the largest age cohort being 18-26 years (42.4%). Only two participants were existing vegans. However, a considerable 42.4% stated they 'may consider' trying a vegan diet, and another 20.3% were explicitly willing. We identified statistically significant associations between current diet type and willingness (p<0.001), as well as between age group and willingness (p=0.0023). A large number of respondents recognized animal sentience and endorsed stronger animal welfare legislation. Conclusion: An individual's current diet and their age appear to be significant factors in their openness to veganism. While awareness of animal sentience is common, practical and ethical obstacles remain. Initiatives in education and policy could be instrumental in improving public acceptance of plant-based diets.