The U.S. department of Health and Human Services states tobacco accounts for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. The current study looks at quantitative and qualitative methodology to assess opinions about smoke-free and tobacco-free campus policies (TFCP) at a New Jersey state university.
A total of 1,236 university members were recruited for the study. This included 912 students, 117 faculty, 171 staff, and 36 administrators. A survey was created to assess current (past 30 day) tobacco use. If participants answered yes to this question they were then asked if they “currently smoke cigarettes, use smokeless tobacco product, or use vaporized nicotine products- on campus.” Participants were asked if they were exposed to second-hand smoke on campus, if it was a concern or annoyance, and if their experiences may immediate health effects from this smoke. Finally, they answered questions about personal attitudes towards a tobacco-free campus. Participants were allowed to share any other comments surrounding tobacco on campus as an open-ended response.
Tobacco use was found to be higher among students and overall, 21% of the participants used more than one tobacco product during the last 30 days with two-thirds of these users reporting using tobacco on campus. Results showed faculty and staff were more supportive of a complete tobacco ban (69%) and 47% of the students agreed. Students showed the most support of TFCP if cessation services were being provided. Those most supportive of TFCP were those who did not use tobacco. Support reasoning included concern of second-hand smoke, smokers’ health, cessation encouragement, and University. Opposition reasoning included smoker rights, more pressing concerns, stress, and concerns about a drop in enrollment. These findings who that TFCP advocated should be aware of reasons for opposition and help to explain common misconceptions.
Take Away: The current study assesses opinions about smoke-free and tobacco-free campus policies (TFCP) at a New Jersey state university. A total of 1,236 university members were recruited and they were asked about past 30 day tobacco use, if they smoke tobacco on campus, concerns about second-hand smoke, and attitudes towards a tobacco-free campus. Results showed faculty and staff were more supportive of a complete tobacco ban (69%) and 47% of the students agreed with this option. Support reasoning included concern of second-hand smoke, smokers’ health, cessation encouragement, and University. Opposition reasoning included smoker rights, more pressing concerns, stress, and concerns about a drop in enrollment. These findings who that TFCP advocated should be aware of reasons for opposition and help to explain common misconceptions.