Changes in smokeless tobacco use over four years following a campus-wide anti-tobacco intervention

This study examined the effectiveness of an institutional intervention aimed at decreasing prevalence of tobacco use over a 4-year period.

Participants were undergraduate students (N = 2,293) enrolled at a large Midwestern university between 2007 and 2010. In 2008, tobacco use was banned on campus. Additionally, campus-wide tobacco cessation services and information were provided to all students. A self-report measure assessing demographics and tobacco use prevalence was administered at baseline and at 3 timepoints over the following 3 years.

Results indicated that smokeless tobacco use decreased significantly after the ban. Members of fraternities (a high-risk group) reported significant decreases in smokeless tobacco use for the first 2 years following the ban; however, this trend did not persist during the 3rd year of assessment. Off-campus residents displayed similar trends as fraternities.

It appears that a campus-wide tobacco ban is an effective prevention method for decreasing smokeless tobacco use. However, initial decreases in smokeless tobacco use may not persist for some at risk groups, namely members of fraternities and students living off-campus. Future studies should examine prevalence of use over longer periods of time with a particular focus on at risk groups. Overall, this study lends considerable support for efforts toward tobacco-free campuses.