College student reactions to smoking bans in public, on campus and at home.
We examined college student reactions to a statewide public smoke-free policy, campus policies and private restrictions through an online survey among 2260 students at a 2-year college and a university and 12 focus groups among smokers. Among survey participants, 34.6% smoked in the past month (35.0% daily, 65.0% non-daily). Correlates of receptivity to public policies included attending the university, not living with smokers and non-smoker status (versus daily and non-daily smoking). Correlates of receptivity to outdoor campus policies included being a university student, unmarried, without children, from homes where parents banned indoor smoking and a non-smoker. Correlates of having home restrictions included not living with smokers, no children, parents banning indoor smoking and non-smoker status. Correlates of having car restrictions included attending the university, not living with smokers, having children, parents banning indoor smoking and non-smoker status. Qualitative findings indicated support for smoke-free policies in public (albeit greater support for those in restaurants versus bars) and on campus. Participants reported concern about smokers' and bar/restaurant owners' rights, while acknowledging several benefits. Overall, 2-year college students and smokers (non-daily and daily) were less supportive of smoke-free policies.
Department of Behavioral Sciences.ealth Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road NE, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. cjberg@emory.edu
Carla J
CJ
Berg
Laura
L
Lessard
Pratibha P
PP
Parelkar
James
J
Thrasher
Michelle C
MC
Kegler
Cam
C
Escoffery
Kathryn
K
Goldade
Jasjit S
JS
Ahluwalia
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult