This study presents the results of a questionnaire research into the subjective perception of the free-practicing doctors in Ticino concerning the primary prevention programme against cardiovascular risk factors, directed to the whole cantonal population by the Social Welfare Department. 93% of the doctors (82% of the population) are aware of the programme and 82% of those interviewed judged it to be useful or very useful. Furthermore, the single initiatives of the programme (TV-advertisements and information-Leaflets) were also evaluated, as well as the frequency of preventive practices during medical visits (information on tobacco risks, blood pressure measurement, treatment of hypercholesterolemia). This study was also analyzed on the basis of questionnaire received before (response rate 41%) and after having sent out a further reminder (final response rate 61%). The results and conclusions did not differ with an increase in the reply rate.