US: Fall 2015 Tobacco Free Initiative Survey Shows Positive Results

Source from:  The Post 01/11/2016

After months of being enforced, Ohio University's tobacco-free initiative is showing positive results.

According to a survey taken in November, the visibility of smoking on campus is going down and more participants are considering quitting compared to a similar survey taken in April.

The November survey asked participants if they thought a change in tobacco usage had occurred. On average, participants responded they perceived a 41 percent decrease. Forty-two percent of tobacco users in the survey are now considering quitting using tobacco, compared to 33 percent from the April survey.

The tobacco-free initiative has been in place at OU since Aug. 1.

The tobacco free initiative includes all nicotine, tobacco-derived and plant-based products including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, hookah, chew, spit and snuff. Those products are prohibited in university facilities, property, grounds and sidewalks adjacent to university buildings.

Some results and figures from the surveys include:

More than 250 survey participants mentioned lack of enforcement as a concern in written response.

Over 50 participants requested a designated smoking area, many of whom identified as non-tobacco users, to keep smokers in specific places.

The November 2015 survey included 3,266 participants comprised of 73 percent students, 19 percent staff and 8 percent faculty

The April 2015 survey numbers included 2,375 participants comprised of 60 percent students, 30 percent staff and 10 percent faculty

"There's better understanding of the initiative, less smoking and less litter," the survey results read. "There's less willingness to approach tobacco users though."

Survey participants expressed lack of enforcement as a concern and that better enforcement needs to be added to the policy. Enditem