Problem/Objective: In light of the detrimental effects of tobacco consumption, there is a growing trend among municipalities and States to enact legislation that bans the smoking of tobacco products in indoor workplaces and public places. Available evidence suggests that these bans have reduced aggregate levels of tobacco consumption. However, to date, research has not addressed the impact of such bans on different types of tobacco consumer (i.e., light, medium, and heavy smokers). The purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of an enclosed public place smoking ban on different categories of smoker

Methods: Drawing on social identity literature (that suggests individuals have multiple roles and views of themselves) and on product involvement literature (that suggests product usage and consumption can be situation specific), the authors make hypotheses regarding how an enclosed public smoking ban will impact the attitudes and behaviors of the different categories of tobacco consumers. The hypotheses are empirically investigated through qualitative research and by surveying a sample of college students in a small Midwestern college town that has recently imposed an enclosed public place smoking ban. The sample was deemed appropriate for this investigation given the sample's propensity to frequent bars and taverns and the consequences of the ban on tobacco smoking within such facilities.

Results: Hypotheses are tested through statistical analysis of the data.

Conclusions: Conclusions and implications are drawn from the study to aid in future public policy development.