Abstract

Background: In California, the mortality rate associated with smoking ranks as the sixth highest among all states in the nation (CDPH, 2016). To reduce this rate, many universities in California have adopted tobacco-free policies in recent years (Mamudu, Veeranki, Kioko, Boghozian & Littleton, 2016). Due to the recent adoption of such policies, there is limited research available which aim to assess the effectiveness of these on tobacco use behavior on campus among university students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand student compliance to tobacco-free policies within select universities in California, specifically those that implemented their policy during 2014-2015. The primary aims of this study were: (a) to determine whether student attitude, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms (SN) are associated with student intent to use tobacco on tobacco-free universities, (b) to determine how student attitude, PBC, SN and student intention to use tobacco compare with difference enforcement levels, (c) to determine how student attitude, PBC, SN and student intention to use tobacco compares between tobacco-free universities that offer smoking cessation programs versus those that do not offer such programs, and (d) to understand campus administrators’ perception of student compliance to the policy.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection tools, key informant interviews, a focus group with campus administrators and a survey administered among students, were developed using an integrated theory of planned behavior (TPB) model which included certain elements of the social ecological model (SEM). Campus officials from four universities meeting specific inclusion criteria provided written authorization to collect data, after which students and campus administrators were recruited by calls and/or emails. Data collection took place during March – May 2018.

Results: A total of 167 students participated in the survey (mean age = 18-24 years). Results indicated that attitude (β = 0.12, pp

Conclusion: Tobacco-free policies, educational enforcement measures, and the availability of smoking cessation resources appear to be effective in reducing student tobacco use on campus. Further research is recommended to understand additional factors which influence student intention to use tobacco on campus.

LLU Discipline

Health Education

School

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Anna Nelson

Second Advisor

Edward McField

Third Advisor

Olivia Moses

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2019

Date (Title Page)

9-2018

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Health policy; Smoking--Prevention--Study and teaching; Theory of Planned Behavior; Universities

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

[1], x, 163 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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