Smoke-Free Universities Help Students Avoid Establishing Smoking by Means of Facilitating Quitting

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to clarify whether smoke-free policies affect the initiation or the quitting of smoking among young adults. Methods: In this natural quasi-experiment study, three universities with different enforcement of smoke-free policies were considered in Kazan City, Russian Federation. Exposure data were collected in 2008-2009 through measurement of particulate matter concentrations in typical sets of premises in each university to distinguish smoke-free universities (SFU) and those not smoke-free (NSFU). All present third year students were surveyed in class in April-June 2011. Number of valid questionnaires equaled 635. The questionnaire was adapted from the Health Professions Students Survey and contained questions on smoking initiation, current tobacco use, willingness to quit, quit attempts, percep­tion of smoke-free policies enforcement, and the demographic data. Results: Among students of SFU, the percentage of current smokers was smaller than in NSFU: 42% vs. 64% in men and 32% vs. 43% in women. Prevalence of daily smoking was 11-12% in SFU, 26% in NSFU overall and 42% among male students. No advantage of SFU in limiting smoking initiation was found. Percentage of former smokers in SFU was 33% vs. 10% in NSFU. Among current smokers, 57% expressed willingness to quit in SFU and only 28% in NSFU. About 60% of current smokers in SFU attempted to quit within a year and only 36% did so in NSFU with 23% vs. 3% having done three or more attempts. Conclusion: Smoke-free universities help young adults to avoid establishing regular smoking by means of facilitating quitting smoking.

Comparison and determination of factors associated with smoking status, smoking knowledge, attitude and practice (S-KAP) between smoke-free and non-smoke-free campuses in public universities in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

“…We found that the smoking prevalence at SFCs (5.2%) and NSFCs (6.7%) was not much different. Nonetheless, similar to another study in Kazan city that compared SFCs and NSFCs, 36 SFCs had a lower smoking prevalence than NSFCs descriptively. Other studies have also reported low smoking prevalence in universities that implement SFC policies, for example, 9.2% in the USA 37 and 8.4% in Thailand, 24 due to decreases in smoking behaviour.…”

Determinants of Support for a Smoke-free University Policy

“…Smokers account for 24% of the dental students, compared with 13% in a school in the capital of the country and in other places. 25,27,28 In our sample, women account for 24% and men for 76% of the smokers, which is similar to the distribution in other schools. 25,27,28,31 In our study, we found that 25 to 39% of dental students are exposed to SHS either at their home, at their friends' houses, or at the university.…”

“…24 A Russian study concluded that smoke-free universities help young adults avoid initiating regular smoking. 25 A Vietnamese study reported that positive changes in knowledge and attitude toward smoke-free universities were associated with the adoption of tobacco control legislation. 26 Several studies have investigated the attitudes toward a smoke-free policy in different countries.…”

Waterpipe tobacco smoking: A reality or hidden iceberg for Iranian women

“…Additionally, replacing waterpipe smoking with another family activity can diminish the spread of WTS among Iranian families as can considering prevention as a high priority for socio-economically disadvantaged families, and introducing the courses at schools to increase awareness of health risks and side effects of WTS. 4 , 9 , 13 , 23 , 30 31 - 33 Also, the lack of evidence-based studies for developing health warning labels is another challenge in preventing WTS among youth.…”