Changes in smoking behavior among college students following implementation of a strict campus smoking policy in Taiwan

Abstract

To understand the perception and responses among college students to a strict campus smoking policy which was in accordance with a national law requiring complete prohibition indoors and permission to smoke in designated outdoor smoking areas only. This study was conducted in the third to sixth month after the implementation of the revised Tobacco Hazard Prevention Act in Taiwan. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 smokers who were second and third year students of a college in Taiwan. Thematic analysis was used to categorize ideas into concept themes. In interviews, most smokers revealed some modification in their smoking behavior and attitude: they sensed that smoking was unwelcome, reduced smoking in campus, thought about quitting, and tried to avoid exposing roommates in the dormitory. The reasons cited by the students for behavior change were grouped into four major themes: a changed smoking experience, change in social norm, the respect for law, and concern for others' health. Implementation of a strict smoking policy in college prompted smokers to markedly reduce smoking in campus.