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

Abstract #117407

Rita E. Arras, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Box 1066, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1066, 618-650-3922, rarras@siue.edu and Roger Boyd, MSW, Department of Social Work, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Box 1450, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1450.

The tobacco industry spends more than $17 million daily in effective, targeted marketing efforts that persuade thousands of young people to begin smoking. Evidence suggests that these marketing efforts have accelerated in the last five years. Many young people begin smoking during their college years. This study explored tobacco use on a Midwestern university campus. A 25-item survey was developed and distributed to a random, proportionate sample of under-graduate, and graduate students, faculty and staff. The purpose of the survey was to determine past and current tobacco use patterns, as well as attitudes towards campus tobacco policy. Policies were also reviewed and discussed with eight key administrators from housing, athletics, and health services. Analysis of the 482 surveys revealed patterns of tobacco use similar to those reported in previous studies of tobacco use among the general population. One of four men and one of five women reported current tobacco use, with two-thirds declaring daily usage. Over half of the respondents initiated tobacco use between 17 and 23 and reported a substantial number of their peers to be tobacco users. University policy prohibits smoking inside campus buildings, but allows smoking outside of building entrances where smokers tend to congregate. Although the majority of non-tobacco users reported being bothered by tobacco use on campus, very few were in favor of a campus-wide tobacco ban. Results of this study will be considered along with evidence from effective tobacco-control initiatives as administrators consider policy and educational efforts to reduce tobacco use on this campus.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a process for assessing tobacco use patterns and policies on a university campus.
• Discuss tobacco use patterns and tobacco policies on a Midwestern university campus.

Keywords: Tobacco, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation