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School tobacco policies in a tobacco-growing state

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, MSN, RN, Ellen J. Hahn, DNS, RN, Carol A. Riker, RN, MSN, and Mary Kay Rayens, PhD. College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 760 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, 859-323-1730, zim0@hotmail.com

The study aimed to examine factors associated with school tobacco policies in a tobacco growing state. Tobacco use prevention and cessation policies were assessed in a statewide sample of 691 private and public middle and high schools in Kentucky (68% participation rate). Local health department staff conducted telephone interviews with school administrators and submitted the data electronically using Teleform data management software. Although 99% of Kentucky schools banned indoor smoking, only 41.7% banned smoking on school grounds for employees and 43.6% banned smoking at outdoor events that occur after school hours. When students violated the smoking policy more than once, only 16-20% of the schools provided voluntary smoking cessation classes. Only 27.9% of schools provided direct cessation services to students and employees. Half the schools surveyed reported their youth were involved in some type of youth tobacco/advocacy program, and 72.5% of schools used at least one research-based curriculum. In regard to pro-tobacco influence, 14% reported having tobacco advertisements within 1,000 feet of the premises, 16.6% reported receiving money from tobacco companies, and 17.7% of schools or school districts owned or leased a tobacco base. Differences in school tobacco policies by type of school (private vs. public) and factors associated with tobacco-free campuses will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Policy

Related Web page: www.mc.uky.edu/tobaccopolicy

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.

Roundtable: School Health Topics

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA