Support for a smoke-free multi-unit housing policy among college students

Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke (SHS) can have immediate adverse effects and can cause coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Data has shown that SHS can drift into accompanying multi-unit housing (MUH) apartments. College students commonly reside in MUH and are targeted by the tobacco industry for initiation of tobacco use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate support for smoke-free MUH for college students. Procedures: A total of 380 participants completed an eight-item survey that assessed demographic information (i.e., age and gender), smoking status, smoking-related illnesses, knowledge of effects of SHS exposure, and support for a tobacco-free policy designating at least 50% of all units of the MUH complexes on campus as smoke-free, including balconies and patios, and designating common indoor areas (e.g., laundry room, hallways, stairways, and lobby) and outdoor areas (e.g., playground, pool area and entryways) as smoke-free. Results: Overall, 311 (81.8%) of the respondents indicated that they supported the policy adoption. Furthermore, 158 (83.6%) respondents who resided in MUH indicated that they would support the policy adoption. The results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences between age (χ2 = 6.922, df = 6, p=.328, n=380) in support for the adoption of a tobacco-free policy. However, females were more likely support the policy as compared to males (χ2 = 28.729, df = 4, p=.0001, n=378). Nonsmokers were more likely to support the policy as compared to smokers. (χ2 = 17.991 df = 2, p=.0001, n=380). Findings and recommendations will be discussed.