238353 Lessons learned from tobacco-free U.S. colleges and universities

Monday, October 31, 2011

Sara Plaspohl, DrPH, MHS , Department of Health Sciences, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA
The purpose of this study was to assess tobacco-control policies and practices of 100% tobacco-free U.S. colleges and universities. Key informants from 162 participating institutions completed an online survey, providing descriptive data for their current tobacco-control policies and practices. While the majority of the data was quantitative, the survey also included 3 open-ended questions to provide informants with the opportunity to offer "lessons learned" pertaining to issues encountered during campus transition to becoming a tobacco-free environment. Common themes and recommendations emerged with regard to policy development, implementation, ongoing practices, and enforcement. These findings may serve as a helpful resource to other academic institutions in their development of public health policies and practices for a healthy tobacco-free environment.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common issues encountered by colleges and universities during transition to 100% tobacco-free campus status. 2. Discuss recommendations offered by tobacco-free colleges and universities for other institutions considering or in process of becoming tobacco-free.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: it reports findings from my dissertation research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.