A three wave assessment of a tobacco free campus policy within a minority serving institution

Abstract

Objective This study assessed changes (in relation to smoking status) in tobacco use, attitudes toward TFC policies, and tobacco use risk knowledge by applying a three Wave repeated cross-sectional assessment. Participants Participants were students at Wave 1 (n = 2,169), Wave 2 (n = 2,576), and Wave 3 (n = 2,169) and faculty at Wave 1 (n = 256), Wave 2 (n = 204), and Wave 3 (n = 180). Methods Measures regarding sociodemographics, tobacco use, attitudes toward TFC policies, and tobacco use risk knowledge were completed. Results Compared with Wave 1, more students reported having quit smoking within the last six months at Waves 2 and 3. The negative attitudes toward TFC policies of those who reported quitting in the last six months aligned with those of nonsmokers. Conclusions Study findings suggest smoking status as a relevant covariate to focus on to further strengthen and refine existing TFC policies.