Learning Objectives: describe a program that creates a negative image of tobacco use among college students by associating tobacco use with harming the environment.
Abstract: If you work with college students and teens concerned about environmental issues - this poster session is for you. This campaign was created by a health department in response to a perceived increase in smoking rates among local college students. The goal was to create a negative image of tobacco use on campus to reduce its appeal to students.
- local college students were known to be concerned about the environment
- tobacco growing and tobacco use is known to harm the the environment as well the people who grow and harvest it
- attractive “earth-friendly” logo-art was developed by a college student and combined with group-tested facts about tobacco’s harm to the environment into an informational campaign
- bookmarks, banners, lawn signs, stickers, calendars, newspaper ads, and table tents for cafeteria tables were developed, displayed, and distributed in collaboration with the college Health Educator
- an informal student survey was conducted on campus, the majority of those surveyed had seen the campaign, all felt it was effective – one student said “I don’t pay any attention to messages about my health, but when I heard how bad it was for the environment, I decided to quit smoking.”
Session viewers will see examples of the materials used in the campaign and will receive a description of the method used for implementation and development.
Session viewers will benefit by viewing materials and concepts to reduce the appeal of tobacco that have been successfully tested with college students.
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