Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a university tobacco-free policy by examining differences in students’ attitudes, perceptions of compliance and policy benefits, after one year of the policy’s implementation. Methods: Cross-sectional studies were undertaken to collect data pre- and 1 year post-policy implementation. The two samples were selected using stratified random sampling. Results: The prevalence of smoking decreased from 26% pre-policy implementation to 21% 1 year after (p = 0.035). The proportion of smokers who thought the policy had contributed to a reduction in smoking frequency increased from 10% to 70% (p < 0.001). Smokers’ support for the policy rose from 42 to 58% (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Against the background of a strongly pro-tobacco environment in Lebanon, it is possible to create a positive change in the mindset of smokers at the levels of the education and smoking cessation and more efforts should be expended to bring it about.
Highlights
Tobacco use is a major contributor to a multitude of diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1]
We report on the evaluation of the a private university in Lebanon (AUB) tobacco-free policy by comparing independent samples of students pre- and 1 year post-policy implementation
The distribution of students by faculties was similar in both years
Summary
The prevalence of smoking decreased from 26% pre-policy implementation to 21% 1 year after (p 0.035). The proportion of smokers who thought the policy had contributed to a reduction in smoking frequency increased from 10% to 70% (p < 0.001). Smokers’ support for the policy rose from 42 to 58% (p 0.007)
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