260177 Leveraging the power of the campus community: Influencing tobacco-use prevention policy and making San Jose State University a tobacco-free campus

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Robert RInck, MPH , Health Science Department, San José State University, San José, CA
Janelle Abriani, MPH , Health Science, San Jose State University/NC-SOPHE, San Jose, CA
Kim Homer-Vagadori, MPH , Health Science, San Jose State University/NC-SOPHE, San Jose, CA
Vanessa Alcantar, MPH (c) , Health Science, San Jose State University/NC-SOPHE, San Jose, CA
Isra Ahmad , Health Science, San Jose State University/NC-SOPHE, San Jose, CA
Brenda Martinez, BA (c) , Health Science, San Jose State University/NC-SOPHE, San Jose, CA
Young adults currently use tobacco at higher rates than any age group. To prevent tobacco use initiation, increase quit attempts, and protect individuals from secondhand smoke is adoption of tobacco-free policies. The College Tobacco Report Card, conducted by California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) on colleges/universities in California ranked San Jose State University (SJSU) an “F” on its report card in limiting/prohibiting tobacco usage on campus. The report card demonstrated that SJSU is not making progress towards limiting tobacco use and needs intervention to address gaps in campus tobacco-use policies. SOPHE offered a mini-grant on “Clearing the Air in Communities” which NC-SOPHE representatives applied and received funding to make SJSU Smoke-Free.

Utilizing the Socio-Ecological Model for policy/system/environmental change, the adoption of 100% tobacco-free policy will create an environment promoting health, supporting/encouraging a tobacco-free lifestyle, and increasing cessation services/support.

A university-wide survey was implemented to measure tobacco use behavior, knowledge, and support for 100% tobacco-free SJSU policy. A roundtable and forum were held further engaging/obtaining input from community and increasing awareness of tobacco use and need for stronger tobacco-free campus policy. The findings from survey, forums and roundtable are being utilized to further strengthen advocacy efforts and gain needed support for adoption of 100% tobacco-free policy.

The data collected is being analyzed and written into a report for SJSU Academic Senate (policy-making department).

This process has resulted in building leadership and advocacy, needed to support adoption of 100% tobacco-free SJSU policy. This policy will impact all 29,079 SJSU students, faculty and visitors.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the implemention of a university-wide survey at SJSU that measured tobacco use behavior, knowledge, and support for a 100% tobacco-free policy. 2. Explain how Smoke-Free SJSU advocates conducted a tobacco prevention policy roundtable and forums at SJSU to increase awareness of tobacco-use on campus and the need for stronger tobacco-use policies on a university campus. 3. Discuss how Smoke-Free SJSU advocates led SJSU to adopt a 100% tobacco-free campus policy at San Jose State University.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Robert M Rinck, MPH is a Faculty Lecturer at SJSU-Health Science and Chapter President of Northern California Society of Public Health Education Chapter (NC-SOPHE). He has worked with a variety of populations from Native Americans with Diabetes in California to working with Refugees on a Soccer Program in Sydney, Australia. Also, he received a SOPHE grant on making SJSU a smoke-free campus. He made his film debut in the documentary, “Making it Right” in 2007.
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.

Back to: 4261.0: Tobacco Policies on College Campuses and in Other Critical American Institutions