Student Tobacco Use Behaviors on College Campuses by Strength of Tobacco Campus Policies

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association between strength of policy and self-reported tobacco use behavior, controlling for demographic characteristics, polytobacco use, knowledge of campus tobacco policy, and perceived policy compliance by others. Design: Cross-sectional, online survey. Setting: Ten participating State University of New York (SUNY) campuses; 5 with designated smoking/tobacco use areas and 5 with 100% tobacco-free policies. Subjects: Convenience sample of students from SUNY campuses: only tobacco users (N = 576 students) included for analysis. Measures: Items assessing tobacco use behaviors on campus, policy knowledge, and observation of others using tobacco on campus. Analysis: T tests and chi-square tests of association used to compare responses between tobacco users across campuses. Generalized estimating equations modeling used to evaluate predictors of tobacco use on campus; model estimated with students nested within campus. Results: Those on campuses without a comprehensive policy were more likely to report (in the past week) having seen others smoke on campus (98% vs 69%, P < .001), having personally smoked on campus (65% vs 36%, P < .001), and seeing others use tobacco products on campus (88% vs 67%, P < .001), compared to those on tobacco-free campuses. Conclusion: Tobacco-free campus policies provide numerous protective factors for tobacco users and nonusers. However, compliance strategies are imperative for intended policy success.