College of Health

Many universities are adopting campus tobacco policies, but little research has explored factors influencing the choice between the policy options of smoke-free versus 100% tobacco-free. Students, faculty, and staff at a U.S. state university participated in a web-based survey in 2013, approximately one year after adoption of a smoke-free policy. Respondents who expressed support for the policy were included in an analysis to examine their opinions regarding a 100% tobacco-free policy. The samples included 4138 students and 1582 faculty/staff. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of opposition to a tobacco-free campus. Independent variables included strength of support for a smoke-free campus, past-month tobacco use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, non-cigarette combustible tobacco products), campus exposure to secondhand smoke, perceptions of tobacco-related behaviors and norms, and demographics. Of these supporters of a smoke-free campus, 14.3% of students and 10.2% of faculty/staff were opposed to a tobacco-free campus. In the multivariate analyses, in both samples, smokeless tobacco use predicted opposition while smoke-free policy support and female gender predicted support. In addition, among students, current or former cigarette smoking and non-cigarette combustible tobacco use predicted opposition; international student status and secondhand smoke exposure predicted support. Among faculty/staff, age over 55 predicted support. Future research should examine why current and former smokers might oppose policies restricting non-combustible tobacco products, even when they support smoke-free policies. In policy planning, campus administrators should communicate actual tobacco usage levels. International students who do not use tobacco may be a source of policy support.