Becoming a Tobacco-Free Campus: A Survey of Student Attitudes, Opinions, and Behaviors

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of tobacco-free campus policies in preventing and mitigating tobacco use relies on students' perceptions, opinions, and adherence to clean-air restrictions. The purpose of this study was to gather data regarding student attitudes, opinions and tobacco use behaviors, one year following implementation of the tobacco-free campus initiative. METHODS Data were gathered using an anonymous, online survey of graduate and undergraduate students at a public university, one year following implementation of a tobacco-free campus policy. Survey items included tobacco use behaviors, nicotine dependence, opinions towards the policy, challenges in policy adherence among tobacco users, and awareness of tobacco cessation resources for students. Analysis primarily included descriptive statistics. RESULTS Of 108 respondents, only 18 were habitual tobacco users with most using: cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos (38%), vaping (17.8%), hookah (11.9%), and smokeless tobacco (11.9%). Several reported multiple use. Common motives for tobacco use were relaxation and mood regulation. Tobacco users rated a moderate level of difficulty in adhering to the policy. Only half of the total respondents were aware of cessation resources, specifically peer counseling. Most tobacco users (71%) believed that they could quit without assistance. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data show 21.8% prevalence of tobacco use within the sample. Information on student opinions and behaviors, including lower risk perception, dual use, and lack of awareness of cessation resources can inform more effective prevention and mitigation strategies, in addition to the tobaccofree campus policy. Further research is needed to monitor policy adherence and changes in student tobacco behaviors.

Assessing the Testability of the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) in Predicting Vaping Quitting Behavior among Young Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…However, there are practical difficulties in this regard. A study by Pignataro and Daramola (2020) reported that college students replaced tobacco with vaping, using electronic cigarettes, and using hookahs [8]. The study revealed that the students had a less favorable position when discussing a ban on electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco than conventional tobacco products.…”

“…Regrettably, young adults comprise the greatest proportion of e-cigarette users [5,7]. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), college students have the highest tobacco usage rates, with a prevalence of 20% or more among this population [8,9]. The 2017 Monitoring the Future survey among youth found that 7.4% vaped nicotine, 3.6% vaped marijuana, and 8% vaped for flavor [10].…”

“…Numerous studies performed at college campuses reported the increasing rates of ecigarette use and nicotine dependence [8,[12][13][14][15]. E-cigarettes (or electronic nicotine delivery systems) are much like traditional cigarettes in that they can create a dependency [16].…”

Korean college students’ attitudes toward a tobacco-free campus: a cross-sectional descriptive study

“…Since the American College Health Association advocated for a 100% tobacco-free environment [ 6 , 8 ], the tobacco-free campus (TFC) policy has been hailed as the most advanced tobacco-control strategy on college campuses. TFC refers to colleges and universities that have completely banned all types of tobacco products for both indoor and outdoor environment and the ban includes smokeless tobacco, whereas smoking bans restrict cigarette smoking only [ 9 ]. Enforcement of a TFC policy has been known to reduce smoking rates, the risk of exposure to secondhand smoke [ 10 ], and the use of alternative tobacco products [ 11 ].…”

Tobacco‐free policy reduces combustible tobacco byproduct on a large university campus

“…As of July 2020, at least 2,511 United States and Tribal universities declared smoke‐free and/or tobacco‐free policies, 2,076 (83%) of which placed additional bans on noncombustible product substitutes (e.g., electronic cigarettes; American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundations, 2022; Wang et al, 2018). Campus tobacco‐policy research explores barriers and facilitators of policy implementation (e.g., Hellesen et al, 2022; Lee et al, 2015), acceptance of policies by the general public (e.g., Braverman et al, 2021; Mamudu et al, 2012; Pignataro & Daramola, 2020), and methods for measuring policy compliance (e.g., Fallin et al, 2014; Russette et al, 2014). Relatively few studies have objectively measured behavior change following tobacco policy enactment, and only a small sample of the reports describe efforts to observe smoking directly (e.g., Fitzpatrick et al 2009; Gatto et al, 2019; Harris et al, 2010).…”