Tobacco Use among College Students Attending an HBCU

In the US cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death; despite the efforts of public health professionals, cigarette smoking trends continue to increase among various subgroups. Traditionally, cigarette smoking has been associated with low income status and low education levels; however, according to the CDC, young adults had the highest percentage of cigarette smoking in 2007 (24%). Several studies offer information concerning cigarette use among college students which often present African-American students with the lowest percentages of cigarette smoking, however very few expand tobacco smoking prevalence beyond cigarette smoking, and similar studies among minority institutions are almost non-existent. This study expanded on the science by collaborating with Benedict College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), as a case study to explore factors associated with tobacco use among college students; and by surveying students and interviewing faculty and administrators on the campus of an HBCU that recently enacted a smoke-free campus policy. The questionnaire was developed based on existing instruments used on college campuses and newly incorporated items (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco knowledge, related behaviors) that have been used to assess tobacco prevalence and the effectiveness of the current smoke-free policy. Also, Benedict faculty and administrators have been interviewed for their perception of the public health problem and the effectiveness of the policy. This study aimed to supplement the existing literature by exploring tobacco use among AA students as well as the effectiveness of deterrence of tobacco use by the implementation of a smoke-free campus policy.