Tobacco‐free Take Action!: Increasing Policy Adherence on a College Campus

Abstract

Introduction One in five college students report tobacco use, thus universities are making strides to reduce tobacco use by adopting smoke- or tobacco-free policies. Purpose Describe an innovative ambassador program to increase adherence with a tobacco-free campus policy. Methods The Tobacco-Free Take Action! (TFTA!) Ambassador program was created to form an environment of compliance. Hot spots were targeted by Ambassadors, who were trained to use scripted messages. Ambassadors completed an online documentation form to assess the number of violators observed and approached. The Tobacco-Free Compliance Assessment Tool (TF-CAT) was used to collect pre- and post-cigarette butt data at each hot spot. Results During the 4-week intervention period, Ambassadors approached 332 violators (529 observed), of which 68% responded positively and complied with the policy. The number of cigarette butts declined by 25%. Discussion Adherence with campus tobacco-free policies remains a challenge. Lessons learned from this innovative approach will benefit those currently implementing and planning tobacco-free campus policies.

A Tobacco-Free Campus Ambassador Program and Policy Compliance

“…6,18,20 Canadian campuses did not find success hiring students to assist with compliance efforts; 6 however no details of the program, student training, or compliance outcomes were reported. Another campus trained undergraduate students as Ambassadors to promote compliance with a tobacco-free campus policy resulting in a 25% decline in cigarette butts at campus hotspots.…”

“…Another campus trained undergraduate students as Ambassadors to promote compliance with a tobacco-free campus policy resulting in a 25% decline in cigarette butts at campus hotspots. 21 However, there may be limitations to using student volunteers for compliance efforts. Students may not feel equipped to carry out enforcement of smoke- and tobacco-free policies, particularly without adequate authority and training.…”

“…Students may not feel equipped to carry out enforcement of smoke- and tobacco-free policies, particularly without adequate authority and training. 6,21 Future research is needed to explore impactful interventions aiming to create a culture of compliance on college campuses. 9,10,13,19,22-25 Further, it is imperative that longitudinal analyses be conducted to determine if the Ambassador approach is both feasible and effective in promoting compliance.…”

“…9,10,13,19,22-25 Further, it is imperative that longitudinal analyses be conducted to determine if the Ambassador approach is both feasible and effective in promoting compliance. 21 …”

Investigation of Factors Relating to the Web-Based Presentation of Policy and Information on Campus Firearm Policy and Smoking Policy

“…Higher education campus settings have been the focus of some additional smoking policy research. Ickes et al (2013) studied policy compliance to determine that an action-based intervention method was effective for reducing the amount of smoking occurring on campus. Seitz et al (2012) examined the positive effect that a student advocacy program had for influencing policy change.…”