Engaging Students in Advancing Campus Tobacco-Free Policies: A Qualitative Study of California Community Colleges’ Efforts

• Published in: Preventing chronic disease Vol. 20; p. E102
• Main Authors: Harsamizadeh Tehrani, Setareh, Trieu, Sang Leng, Dao, Lien, Samuel, Carissa, Lui, Camillia K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 09.11.2023
• Series: Peer Reviewed
• Subjects: College campuses; College students; Community colleges; Health care policy; Intervention; Original Research; Tobacco; Young adults; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 1545-1151; 1545-1151
• DOI: 10.5888/pcd20.230082

IntroductionTobacco use remains a serious problem for young adults. Given the large number of young adults attending college, a tobacco-free campus is one strategy to reduce tobacco use. Young adult engagement is recognized as a common strategic practice in tobacco control policy efforts, especially in changing social norms around tobacco use. Community colleges can leverage and engage students in adoption of campus 100% tobacco-free policies. This qualitative study examines the importance of student engagement in advancing 100% tobacco-free policies in community colleges and identifies strategies for campuses to involve students in such efforts.MethodsWe selected 12 community colleges and conducted key informant interviews with campus and community-based organizations that were involved in campus policy adoption efforts. We conducted 33 semistructured interviews and transcribed, coded, and analyzed them by using a thematic analytic framework with inductive and deductive approaches to examine student engagement processes.ResultsCommunity colleges represented campuses with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) tobacco-free policy and varied by geography (urban vs rural) and student population size. Three main themes emerged: 1) no “wrong door” for students to engage in tobacco control work, 2) a myriad of ways for students to be involved in policy adoption, and 3) benefits of student engagement.ConclusionWe found that students are doers, allies, and champions in adoption of 100% campus tobacco-free policy. Colleges should leverage their campuses’ most important assets — students — to be agents of change and to involve them in the full spectrum of interventions and advocacy.SummaryWhat is known on this topic?In 2021, young US adults had the highest smoking and vaping rates, and smoking prevalence is higher among community college students compared with their 4-year counterparts.What is added by this report?Student engagement is recognized as a key strategy in tobacco control policy efforts. However, research on community colleges and on student engagement in policy efforts is limited. This qualitative study describes the levels, roles, and value of engaging students in advancing a 100% tobacco-free policy in California community colleges.What are the implications for public health practice?Colleges should leverage their campuses’ most important assets — students — as agents of change and involve them in the full spectrum of tobacco control efforts.