Learning Objectives: Describe factors leading to effective or inhibited implementation of tobacco cessation services on state college campuses in California.
Abstract: Over one-quarter (28%) of college students smoked cigarettes in 2000, declining somewhat from the rates in the 1990's (Johnston, et. al, 2001). While the rate of smoking among college students remains high, the demand for existing quitting services appears low (Wechsler, et. al, 2001). Little is known about college students' awareness of, choice, and preferences for smoking cessation services, or the barriers that prevent colleges from implementing comprehensive tobacco control interventions to help students quit smoking. This study begins to address these gaps in our knowledge using a two-pronged exploratory approach. Telephone focus groups with college smokers at 2- and 4-year California state colleges were initially conducted. Students identified several campus services and policies that if available, would encourage them to reduce or quit smoking. Support groups, clinical practice interventions, and (to a lesser extent) policies further restricting smoking (outdoors) on-campus, were among the common themes. Occasional smokers were less amenable to quitting interventions and varied more in their preferences for these interventions. Data from these focus groups were then shared with college administrators in 30 randomly selected California state colleges (primarily two-year schools) to assess the likelihood of such interventions on campuses. This presentation will discuss findings from both the college administrators' interviews and the focus group discussions, and provide policy and programmatic recommendations to help college students---particularly those commuting to two-year schools---quit smoking.
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