Measuring Student Perceptions of University Tobacco-Free Policy: The Campus Tobacco-Free Policy Scale

Authors

  • Ronald D. Williams Jr.
  • Timothy F. Day
  • Michael E. Hall
  • Barry P. Hunt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.151

Keywords:

smoke-free policy, tobacco, college health

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to expand the use of the recently created Campus Tobacco-Free Policy Scale and examine the perceptions of tobacco-free policy benefits and enforcement among on campus residents (N = 1,235). Results indicated high scale reliability (alpha = 0.829), as well as differences between the tobacco users’ and non-users’ health beliefs and policy support. Scale scores revealed that users were much less likely to indicate support for tobacco-free campus policies than non-users (p< 0.001). Users and non-users responded positively that a tobacco-free policy would create a healthier campus environment; however, non-users were more likely to recognize the importance of a tobacco-free policy and feel that students would support the policy (p < 0.001). Both users and non-users indicated support for university-led enforcement strategies as opposed to peer confrontation strategies. The Campus Tobacco-Free Policy Scale is a valid, reliable instrument to examine student support for tobacco-free campus policies.

Author Biographies

Ronald D. Williams Jr.

Ronald D. Williams, Jr., PhD, CHES, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, Jowers Center A139, San Marcos, TX 78666, Phone:
512-245-2947, Fax: 512-245-8678

Timothy F. Day

Timothy F. Day, MS, School of Law, Wake Forest University

Michael E. Hall

Michael E. Hall, PhD, CHES, Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion; Florida Atlantic University

Barry P. Hunt

Barry P. Hunt, EdD, Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University

Published

2020-11-12

How to Cite

Williams, R., Day, T., Hall, M., & Hunt, B. (2020). Measuring Student Perceptions of University Tobacco-Free Policy: The Campus Tobacco-Free Policy Scale. American Journal of Health Studies, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.151