Assessing a university's undergraduate student body for a smoke-free campus policy

Background: Smoke free campus policies (SFCP) have come to the forefront in higher education. National studies showed 18-24 age group had the highest prevalence of tobacco use. Among these young adults, nearly one-fourth of undergraduate students are current tobacco users. This study was developed to assess the feasibility in changing a mid-west university's current policy to smoke free campus.

Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from randomly selected undergraduate classes from a suburban, private liberal-arts university. The paper and pencil survey used 14 questions to assess the attitudes and beliefs about the development of a SFCP. Power was achieved through a representative, acceptable sample size of 365 participants.

Results: Of these participants, 70% were female, 89% were Caucasian with a mean age of 21 (±3). Although only 9% of the participants smoked, 45% were not in favor of a SFCP. Thirty-percent of smokers were interested in smoking cessation programs. Almost half of the respondents indicated eye/nose/throat irritation as the most frequently suffered secondary smoke effect. Chi-square analysis revealed women were significantly more likely than men to support this policy (p<0.01).

Implications: Because the majority of the respondents favor a SFCP, future actions include assessing the attitudes and beliefs of university employees and to develop community forums for those living around the campus who will be directly affected by this policy change. The results of those analyses can contribute to the university's policy development. Additionally, further analysis will occur to explain the discrepancy between those who smoke and prefer a SFCP.