Learning Objectives: Review teacher smoking history and attitudes toward a school no-tobacco policy. Discuss the usefulness, applicability and limitations of formative data.
Abstract: A major objective of ACTT is promotion of a no-tobacco policy in schools, but schools in Louisiana have proven resistant to policy change. To approach principals, data were required for teacher/staff smoking and attitudes toward such a policy. Teachers and staff (n=986) from 19 schools in Acadiana were surveyed. The sample was predominantly female (64%) and white (79%). Majority were <45 years with a mean of 15(+/-10) years teaching experience. Smoking prevalence was 13% with female rates higher than males (15.2% vs 9.3%, p=0.01). Almost half of current smokers smoked on campus and on-campus smoking did not differ by school policy. Of those who smoked on campus, 96.4% smoked in designated areas or during the school day (94%); 90% did both. Many teachers (25.3%) did not know their school smoking policy. Most nonsmoking teachers supported a no-tobacco policy (75.1%) while fewer teachers who smoked did (31.4%). These data indicate a need for educating teachers and staff about smoking on campus and the need for offering cessation services, perhaps in a school-based format.
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