title: An intervention to increase compliance with a tobacco-free university policy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the effects of a population-based self-efficacy message card campaign on compliance with a tobacco-free campus policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted at a large public university in the South.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred twelve observational periods at 39 campus sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  The message card campaign, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, consisted of distributing approximately 6000 efficacy-enhancing cards over 3 days. The intent of the cards was to increase awareness of the policy and resources available to help individuals stop smoking or remain comfortable while on campus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Policy compliance was measured using the Tobacco-Free Compliance Assessment Tool. Field notes were used to assess campaign reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to compare number of cigarette butts in hot spot areas before and after the intervention. A rate ratio was also calculated using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software to compare cigarette butts collected per day before and after the intervention at each of the study sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of cigarette butts per day after the intervention was significantly lower than before the intervention (1.9 vs. 4.7, χ(2): 8.1, p  =  .004). Eighteen sites (66.6%) had a post-pre ratio of .11 to .75, indicating a decrease in cigarette butts per day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An efficacy-enhancing message card campaign shows promise in improving compliance with tobacco-free campus policies.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Policy Research Program, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. amanda.fallin@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fallin
authors.forename: Andrew O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riker
authors.forename: Elisia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
authors.forename: Ellen J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*