Smoking prevalence among 16-19-year-olds related to staff and student smoking policies in sixth forms and further education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the policies, if any, regulating where and when smoking was allowed in educational establishments for students aged 16 and over, and to relate them to smoking prevalence. The methods used were postal questionnaires to all directors of local education authorities in England and Wales and to a sample of school and college principals in 1990. Self-administered questionnaires were used for the sample of students, supervised by staff. The results showed that 37 per cent of the responding local directors of education had a written policy on smoking for the schools and colleges in their area. Responses from principals showed that 83 per cent of colleges and 14 per cent of schools officially allowed students aged 16 and over to smoke. Eighty-three per cent of colleges and 97 per cent of schools allowed staff to smoke, but not usually in front of students. Policy and prevalence were strongly related in colleges, but not in the schools. The possible reasons for and implications of these findings are discussed. Overall, smoking students smoked fewer cigarettes (7 per week during attendance hours and 18 outside) in establishments where they were not allowed to smoke, as against 17 during attendance hours and 28 outside when the policy allowed smoking. The policy was still significantly related to lower smoking prevalence in colleges when other factors were taken into account. The response rates were low and the risk of bias is high, however; the findings suggest the need to investigate the topic further.