Stakeholder perspectives of tobacco use on campus and implementation of a tobacco-free policy at a Midwest university.

Abstract

Introduction: Implementation of a 100% tobacco-free policy at universities can assist in limiting the potential negative health impacts of tobacco use, such as susceptibility to lung and heart disease, cancer, addiction, and life-long use. This study's goal was to gain the perspective of students and non-students across a large Midwestern university campus on implementation of a 100% tobacco-free policy.

Methods: Students, faculty, and staff of a Midwestern university were recruited to complete a 19-question cross-sectional online survey on tobacco use on campus, awareness of the current tobacco-free policy, and their interest in supporting a 100% smoke-free policy on campus. The survey included open- and close-ended questions, and responses were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results: A total of 2389 respondents completed the survey, and 291 (12.2%) reported current tobacco use from April to July 2024. Participants with a higher probability of current tobacco use were associated with having a higher degree of exposure to secondhand aerosols (AOR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.10-1.62), more awareness of the current tobacco policy (AOR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.06-1.32), and disagreed with the petition statement in support of a 100% tobacco-free campus policy (AOR=2.47; 95% CI: 1.48-4.12). Participants that reported a higher degree of exposure to secondhand aerosols (AOR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.19-3.99) and agreed with the statement that a 100% smoke-free campus policy would promote a healthier college campus (AOR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.20-3.96) were significantly associated with supporting the petition for a 100% smoke-free policy on this university campus.

Conclusions: Supporting a 100% tobacco-free policy for a healthier and safer university campus was demonstrated to be associated with secondhand aerosol exposure among survey respondents.