Reported Physiological and Psychological Symptoms of Tobacco Smoke Pollution in Nonsmoking and Smoking College Students

Abstract

A 147-item questionnaire concerning the relevance of the nonsmokers' right movement to college and university campuses was administered to 307 University of New Hampshire undergraduates. The fourth section of the questionnaire consisted of 28 questions on symptoms caused by smoke pollution. Responses to these questions were given on a five-category frequency of occurrence scale. Frequencies, descriptive statistics, and t tests contrasting current smokers from nonsmokers were presented. Generally sizable percentages of nonsmokers reported adverse physiological and psychological symptoms from tobacco smoke pollution. Smokers reported a similar pattern of responding but at lower frequencies of occurrence.