Oral Presentations - Session 2A: UC 326

Voices from Campus: Strategies for Strengthening University Tobacco Free Policy Implementation

Presentation Type

Presentation

Faculty Mentor’s Full Name

Kari Harris

Faculty Mentor’s Department

Graduate Public Health

Abstract / Artist's Statement

Studies show that habitual smoking often begins during young adulthood. With many young adults in the US pursing higher education, university campuses are examining issues associated with tobacco use including increased risks for preventable disease and exposure to secondhand smoke. College campuses are increasingly adopting tobacco-free policies that have the potential to reach large populations at risk for preventable diseases that result from smoking.

The purpose of this research was to examine attitudes of campus staff toward the Tobacco Free policy of a mid-sized U.S. University located in the rural Northwest. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants affiliated with the University. Grounded theory was used to divide and categorize the interviews into 10 themes. These themes were analyzed and used to formulate suggestions for policy improvement.

Key informants identified strategies that should and should not be used to increase Tobacco Free policy compliance on campus and disagreed about whether several practices (changing physical environment, education, negative consequences) and resources (financial support) should be used to increase Policy compliance. Participants identified individuals and departments who should and should not be responsible for Policy enforcement.

Differences in opinion regarding which strategies should be used to increase Tobacco Free policy compliance indicate a need for increased clarity and consistency in Policy language. There is also a need for a more formal, effective forum where all the departments involved with the Policy can come together and work toward consistent policy implementation and enforcement.

Policy implementation is a dynamic process and that a policy may need to be revised and implemented several times before it can be considered effective. Although every campus that pursues implementation of a tobacco-free policy is unique, important lessons can be learned from the successes and failures of the writing and implementation of tobacco free policies on other campuses.

Category

Social Sciences

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Apr 11th, 2:20 PM Apr 11th, 2:40 PM

Voices from Campus: Strategies for Strengthening University Tobacco Free Policy Implementation

Studies show that habitual smoking often begins during young adulthood. With many young adults in the US pursing higher education, university campuses are examining issues associated with tobacco use including increased risks for preventable disease and exposure to secondhand smoke. College campuses are increasingly adopting tobacco-free policies that have the potential to reach large populations at risk for preventable diseases that result from smoking.

The purpose of this research was to examine attitudes of campus staff toward the Tobacco Free policy of a mid-sized U.S. University located in the rural Northwest. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants affiliated with the University. Grounded theory was used to divide and categorize the interviews into 10 themes. These themes were analyzed and used to formulate suggestions for policy improvement.

Key informants identified strategies that should and should not be used to increase Tobacco Free policy compliance on campus and disagreed about whether several practices (changing physical environment, education, negative consequences) and resources (financial support) should be used to increase Policy compliance. Participants identified individuals and departments who should and should not be responsible for Policy enforcement.

Differences in opinion regarding which strategies should be used to increase Tobacco Free policy compliance indicate a need for increased clarity and consistency in Policy language. There is also a need for a more formal, effective forum where all the departments involved with the Policy can come together and work toward consistent policy implementation and enforcement.

Policy implementation is a dynamic process and that a policy may need to be revised and implemented several times before it can be considered effective. Although every campus that pursues implementation of a tobacco-free policy is unique, important lessons can be learned from the successes and failures of the writing and implementation of tobacco free policies on other campuses.