Enforcing an outdoor smoking ban on a college campus: effects of a multicomponent approach.
OBJECTIVE
Data on effective strategies to enforce policies banning outdoor smoking are sparse. This study tested the effects of an enforcement package implemented on a college campus.


METHODS
Thirty-nine observers recorded compliance of 709 outside smokers.


METHODS
Smoking within 25 feet of buildings was noncompliant. The intervention included moving receptacles, marking the ground, improving signage, and distributing reinforcements and reminder cards.


RESULTS
The proportion of smokers complying with the ban was 33% during the baseline observation period, increased to 74% during the intervention week, and was at 54% during the follow-up. Differences across conditions was statistically significant (chi2(2, N = 709) = 6.299, p <.001). Compliance proportions varied by location in all conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Enforcing an outdoor smoking ban using a multiple component package increased compliance with the nonsmoking policy on a college campus.
Harris
Kari Jo
KJ
School of Public and Community Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA. kari.harris@umontana.edu
Stearns
Julee N
JN
Kovach
Rachel G
RG
Harrar
Solomon W
SW
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011640:Public Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D055815:Young Adult