Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115142

Eileen M. Eisen-Cohen, MSW, ABD, Division of Chronic Disease and Tobacco Control, Maricopa County Tobacco Use Prevention Program, 3838 N. Central Avenue, Ste. 1600, Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602-372-8424, eileeneisen-cohen@mail.maricopa.gov and Merrill Eisenberg, PhD, College of Public Health, University of Arizona, PO Box 210468, Tucson, AZ 85719.

Because the tobacco industry continues to target young adults, tobacco control strategies must focus on engaging young adults 18-24 in the process of counteracting this influence. There are many ways and levels at which tobacco can be addressed including creating policies to restrict use and other industry presence on campus. Based on data collected from the Arizona College Campus Tobacco Assessment Project, this doctoral research provides an overview of the relationships that exist between young adult tobacco use, policy advocacy-related initiatives, and mechanisms to engage students in the policy advocacy process. Colleges are logical settings in which to conduct tobacco policy advocacy initiatives that target young adults. Understanding the processes and creating mechanisms to engage young adults in tobacco control will impact tobacco use within this population.

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