Study finds college campus tobacco-free policies are effective

Amanda Fallin, assistant research professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, recently published a study, "Association of Campus Tobacco Policies With Secondhand Smoke Exposure, Intention to Smoke on Campus, and Attitudes About Outdoor Smoking Restrictions, in the American Journal of Public Health."

In summary, Fallin and her co-authors surveyed California college students between September 2013 and May 2014 with a range of policies (smoke-free indoors only, designated outdoor smoking areas, smoke-free, and tobacco-free).

Findings include:

• Stronger policies were associated with fewer students reporting exposure to secondhand smoke or seeing someone smoke on campus.
• On tobacco-free college campuses, fewer students smoked and reported intention to smoke on campus.
• Strong majorities of students supported outdoor smoking restrictions across all policy types.
• Comprehensive tobacco-free policies are effective in reducing exposure to smoking and intention to smoke on campus.

"What we found was smoke and tobacco free policies are widely accepted and are working on campus," Fallin said.