The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59472

Stephen J. Jay, MD¹, Andrea Gee², Gregory K. Steele, DrPH, MPH¹, and Elise Papke, MPH³. (1) Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1050 Wishard Blvd. RG 4175, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (2) Department of Public Health, Indiana University, 1050 Wishard Blvd. RG 4174, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317 274 3126, angee@iupui.edu, (3) School of Medicine, Indiana University, Department of Public Health, 3007 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211

Tobacco use among college students has increased since 1990. The university environment may facilitate initiation of smoking or an increased level of use. Universities associated with academic health centers (AHCs) may promote policies that foster healthy lifestyles and safe campus environments. Little is known about how universities’ campus smoking policies (SP) conform to tobacco control (TC) guidelines. This study analyzed AHCs’ SP compliance with recommended standards. Analysis of SP of 122 AHCs in 2002-03 revealed: 1.) Written SP existed for medical school (26.3 %), medical center (60 %), parent university (94.3 %); 2.) SP was in compliance with ten American Cancer Society, American College Health Association, and National Center Addiction and Substance Abuse TC recommendations: none, 17.2%; 1-3, 56.6%; 4-6, 19.7%; 7-10, 6.6%; 3.) SP prohibited non-dormitory indoor smoking, 70.3%; 4.) SP prohibited dormitory smoking, 11%; 5.) SP prohibited outdoors smoking, 8.2%; 6.) SP designated outdoors smoking areas, 92.3%; 7.) SP offered TC education, 23.1%; 8.) SP offered cessation services, 29.8%; 9.) SP provided guidelines for enforcement, 31.4%; 10.) SP prohibited smoking in entryways, 50.6% and specified distance from entryways, 53.5%; 11.) SP prohibited campus tobacco sales, 7.4% and tobacco sponsorship, 0.8%. Compliance with TC standards was less in tobacco states. AHCs must intensify efforts to comply with TC recommendations. In Indiana, university TC initiatives, in partnership with the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency, SmokeFree Indiana, and state and local health departments, create a synergy for change on campus and in the community.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to
• outline recommended tobacco control policies for universities/colleges,
• summarize the compliance of academic medical centers & universities with recommended policies,
• outline opportunities for improving university tobacco control policies through public/private partnerships and collaboration.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.