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Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:
- Understand how to use experience, partners, and coalitions from successful smokefree outdoors campaigns to engage college stakeholders and advocate for smokefree college campuses through collaborative efforts
- Understand the governance structures common to higher education and how that affects policy
- Understand how to navigate the college policymaking structure and overcome common barriers: when to use top down vs. grassroots strategies, who makes the decisions, and why community colleges, 4-year colleges, state schools, and proprietary all colleges require different approaches
Key Points: Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy and The BACCHUS Network provide technical assistance to colleges going 100% smoke- or tobacco-free. This presentation discusses motivations for smokefree indoor and outdoor campus policies, case studies highlighting successful strategies, and lessons learned from overcoming barriers to policy change.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages smokefree college campuses for tobacco use and exposure prevention and cessation promotion. The Association of College Health Professionals 2011 position paper recommends 100% smokefree campuses, and many K-12 schools and employers require 100% smokefree campus policies. The smoking-permissive gap on college campuses negatively impacts career preparedness and campus health, and needs to be addressed.
College policymaking structures are varied and opaque. Some require a top-down approach; others benefit from grassroots student campaigns. Developing connections with decision-makers and gathering accurate data on nearby college policies establishes credibility for advocates and clarifies next steps in establishing smokefree policies.
Advocates can capitalize on existing smokefree outdoors campaigns and extend their reach to colleges. Although colleges operate differently from businesses and local governments and present special challenges, advocates can identify commonalities between campaigns and collaborate with a range of partners to share resources and expand smokefree outdoors policies.
Educational Experience: Analyze case studies and generalize into rules of thumb applicable to most smokefree college campaigns.
Benefits: Audience will be equipped to effectively campaign for smokefree college campus policies through collaboration with tobacco control coalition partners.