College Student Perceptions on Smoke and Tobacco-Free Policy

Background: While more than 1,100 colleges nationwide have already gone smoke/tobacco-free, almost all of the Alaska college campuses have not. Using the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) as a case study, our study aims to assess prevalence of tobacco use, perceptions toward having a smoke/tobacco-free campus, and demographic factors associated with supporting a comprehensive smoke/tobacco-free policy among college students in a non-tobacco-free campus setting.

Methods: We distributed a self-administered online survey to a representative sample of UAA students in fall 2013. Analysis involved assessing rates of tobacco use; perceptions toward a smoke/tobacco-free policy; and enforcement ideas if UAA were to adopt a smoke/tobacco-free policy. We performed correlational analysis to assess factors associated with tobacco use and support for smoke/tobacco-free policy.

Results: 562 students completed the survey. Approximately 17% are current smokers and 6% are either smokeless tobacco users or users of both of smokeless and non-smokeless tobacco. Most would support having a comprehensive smoke/tobacco-free policy and giving a ticket and a fine as a way to enforce a smoke/tobacco-free policy. Men and sophomores are more likely to smoke compared to their counterparts, while college seniors are more likely to use smokeless tobacco.

Conclusions: Findings show that most students support a smoke/tobacco-free policy in a non-tobacco-free college setting. Survey results have been key in pushing to make UAA to be a smoke-free campus. Plans are underway for UAA students to vote whether the campus should be smoke-free on April 2014. Election results will be available by the end of Spring 2014.