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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mary Mathew, MSPH and Julea Steiner, MPH. School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB # 7595, Manning Drive, Dept of Family Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 919-843-2746, mary_mathew@med.unc.edu

Statewide efforts to address tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke have been primarily focused on youth ages 12-17 and older adults, creating a significant gap in resources available to young adults, ages 18-24. Recent data show that approximately 30% of 18-24 year olds smoke, representing the only group where smoking rates have risen in the last decade. With over 300,000 young adults enrolled in colleges and universities across North Carolina, the college campus setting provides a unique opportunity for policy and cessation interventions targeted to this age group. However, very few colleges have had the resources to effectively implement these interventions. This presentation describes the development of an innovative statewide tobacco prevention and cessation initiative targeting college students in North Carolina. The $1.6 million dollar initiative, funded by the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, awarded 20 grants to organizations across the state to develop coalitions, advance policy change, and promote the NC Quitline on approximately 50 campuses including community colleges, four-year universities, and HBCUs. Specifically, the presentation will address the development of technical assistance and outcomes evaluation programs. Key planning and evaluation components of the initiative include the development of logic models, measurable program and outcome indicators, a campus policy report card, and web-based needs assessment tool. The unique collaboration between program planners, evaluators, and funders for this initiative serves as a model for other states interested in implementing similar programs. Barriers to tobacco prevention efforts on college campuses in a tobacco-producing state will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the current need for tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives targeting 18-24 years olds
• List three evidence-based strategies for promoting tobacco prevention and cessation on college campuses
• Discuss and describe the creation of a comprehensive statewide program to address tobacco use among 18-24 year olds
• List five key program planning and evaluation components of a statewide, tobacco prevention initiative targeting college students
• Articulate challenges to tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives on college campuses in a tobacco-producing state

Keywords: Tobacco, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered