Smoke-Free Policy and Alcohol Use Among Undergraduate College Students

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess attitudes and behaviors related to smoke‐free policy among undergraduate student alcohol drinkers on a campus in a community with smoke‐free bars. Design and Sample This was a secondary data analysis of a study in which participants completed mailed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol and tobacco use and smoke‐free policy (n = 337). Opinion and behavior items were summarized descriptively; associations were examined using Kruskal Wallis tests and chi‐square tests of association. Logistic regression tested for predictors of importance of smoke‐free policy. Results Respondents were predominantly female and Caucasian; mean age 20.3 years. One fourth were current smokers. Seventy‐nine percent said the community smoke‐free law had no effect on frequency of visiting bars. Eighty‐seven percent said smoke‐free policy in campus buildings was “somewhat” or “very important.” Predictors of perceived importance of smoke‐free policy included gender and smoking status. Conclusions Most smokers in this sample did not experience a change in their motivation to quit smoking or in number of cigarettes smoked daily. Implementation of a community smoke‐free law did not reduce the likelihood of visiting bars. Women and nonsmokers were more likely to rate smoke‐free campus policy as very important.