2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

320461
Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative at Benedictine University


Monday, November 2, 2015

Rebecca Carlstrom, MPH, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Sukaina Hussain, MPH, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Susan Cheng, PhD, MPH, Master of Public Health Department, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Background: Approximately one in five deaths is related to tobacco exposure. The decision to use tobacco peaks between 18-25 years old, and nearly a quarter of all full-time college students are smokers. Therefore, instituting a tobacco-free policy on college campuses would serve as both Public Health prevention and intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the smoking and tobacco use habits, and perceptions of current smoking policies, among the students, faculty, and staff at Benedictine University.

Methods: A convenience sample of 596 participants completed a 14-question survey ranging from demographics, tobacco habits, perception of current policy,, and their desire for a tobacco-free campus policy. Surveys were analyzed using SPSS.

Results:The prevalence of daily smokers in this Benedictine sample population was less than five percent, with only 1.3% reporting use of smokeless tobacco products daily. However, second hand smoke on campus affected 84% of the participants surveyed; 20% of those surveyed also reported a sensitivity or allergy triggered by second hand smoke. An overwhelming majority (80%) reported that they would support Benedictine University becoming a 100% tobacco-free campus.

Conclusion:  The results of this study show that although active smokers comprise a small percentage of the population, second hand smoke affected the majority of the campus community surveyed. A tobacco-free campus is therefore a warranted public health prevention and intervention measure. Illinois lawmakers are currently voting on a policy to mandate tobacco-free status for all state-funded college campuses. This policy is currently under review by the campus administration.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the current tobacco use and beliefs on campus at Benedictine University and demonstrate the acceptability of a tobacco-free campus policy by students, staff, and faculty.

Keyword(s): Tobacco Use, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working on this tobacco-free campus project throughout most of my MPH degree and I have conducted a thorough literature review of the existing studies and other campus initiatives on tobacco-free policies.
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: 3299.0: Student award candidate showcase: Tobacco