A Model for Tobacco-Free Campus: Policy, Marketing & Assessment
Yvon Fils- Aime, FMG, MBA/HA Oklahoma State University
Yvon.fils-aime@okstate.edu
5th National Summit on Smokeless and Spit Tobacco
Madison, WI
This presentation has been supported by a grant to Oklahoma State
University from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)
Is a tobacco-free campus
policy possible?

Results from the American College
Health Association-National College
Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA)
Prevalence:
33.4%
Process to implement a tobacco-free
campus policy
Trend
Overall Tobacco User
5.37%
19.46%
19.46%
Smokers
3.28%
Chew Tobacco
9.21%
9.60%
17.11%
16.95%
24.21%
24.99%
33.68%
32.77%
Junior
Senior
17.05%
21.96%
27.87%
28.86%
Freshman
Cigar/Cigarillos
Sophomore

Grant from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment
Trust in July 2006

October 2006, SGA senator authored legislation
that proposed a tobacco free campus (Yes 21, No
9)

In November, 2006, Faculty Council (13/11/2), and
SAC (20/0/1)
OSU: Process to become
tobacco-free

In December, 2006, Dr. David Schmidly convened a
task force to assess the policy and implementation

In March, 2007, the Tobacco Task Force
recommended to administration that the 24/7 no
tobacco use policy be adopted in July 2008

In March, 2007, Dr. Schmidly resigned

Dr. Marlene Strathe continued the tobacco free
cause
What does “Tobacco-Free”
mean?

All use of tobacco products is prohibited
on ALL university
rounds/property/vehicles

Tobacco sales, promotions, advertising,
marketing, distribution (samples),
sponsorships are prohibited

University does not accept funding from
tobacco companies
Key Issues
Student involvement
Message framing
 Smoke-free vs. tobacco-free
 Designated smoking areas
 Compliance & Enforcement
 Neighborhood impact
 Cessation
 Gaining & showing support
 International students
 Implementation


Gaining & Showing Support

Who needs to support it?






Students
Faculty
Staff
Senates
Student organizations
Most important?
 Faculty & students
Gaining Senate Support: Tips
Find out what each senate’s process is
 Ask for input, questions, concerns
before asking for formal support
 Identify key allies within senate
 Know the vote before they vote
 Bring vocal student support to the
meetings
 Come prepared with
documents/petitions

Framing Messages
Reason: Health Issue
 Constitutional Right?
 Minority Group?
 Enforce current policy?
 But so few people smoke?
 Why tobacco-free instead of smokefree?

Smoke-free vs. tobacco-free

A tobacco-free policy eliminates loopholes that can be exposed by the
tobacco industry

Smokeless tobacco use is a precursor to cigarette use. Specifically,
adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become
cigarette smokers

Smokeless tobacco is a “gateway” substance for cigarette smoking,
alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs

Smokeless tobacco rates could increase. With no smoking on campus,
students may become more aware of smokeless tobacco use,
perceiving it as an “acceptable” behavior

Diseases can be easily spread through spit. Smokeless tobacco spit is
considered a biohazard and contains at least 24 cacogenic chemicals

Environmental concerns. Smokeless tobacco still uses the same
tobacco manufacturing methods that cause deforestation, soil erosion,
and poverty
Compliance & Enforcement

CANNOT overlook
 Most questions center around enforcement


High compliance is key to a successful tobaccofree policy
Peer responsibility – surprisingly effective
 Indoor regulations
 Basic peer pressure

Enforcement committee
 Judicial, HR, Campus Safety/Police, taskforce
representative

Written implementation and enforcement plans are
essential for attaining high compliance
Cessation
Free cessation counseling
(individual/group)
 Access to free/discounted Nicotine
Replacement Therapy (NRT) &/or
medications





Patch, Gum, Lozenge (non-Rx)
Inhaler, Nasal Spray (Rx)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Varenicline (Chantix)
On campus vs. off campus options
Student Health Insurance
options/inclusions
 State resources (Quit Lines, websites, etc.)


Implementation of a tobacco use
identification system and cessation
program

Identify

Delivery of the 5 A’s model
by health care providers

Have 100% of student
patients referral to Health
Educator
Develop a tobacco use identification
system
and cessation program for students
Oklahoma State University Health Services
Tobacco Use Assessment Form
_____________
___
Print Name
Male □
Date
Female □______________________________________________
CWID#
1. Do you now smoke cigarettes or use any tobacco products? Yes □ o □ (If no, stop here)
2. How interested are you in stopping smoking or using other tobacco products?
Not at all □
Somewhat □
Very □
3. Can we contact you in the future with more information about quitting?
Yes □
No □ (If no, stop here)
4. Please contact me by phone □ (
) ___________ By email □ _________________
For Clinicians Only
Quit date: __________________________________
Tobacco public health education
Compliance Card
Statistics
26,667 cigarette butts were collected in
one hour (10 pounds)
 293,337 minutes of life lost on campus
due to premature death caused by
tobacco use
 $5,586.74 (average in Oklahoma is
$4.19 per pack)
 186,669 minutes or 3111 hours

Opinions From Experts
Tobacco use in campus Vs
other off campus living
areas
40.00%
36.70%
35.00%
36.92%
36.84%
30.00%
28.14%
25.00%
25%
26.31%
24.46%
25.27%
20.00%
Smokers
Tobacco users
15.00%
10.00%
15.52%
12.50%
5.00%
0.00%
With Parents in
Stillwater
In fraternity and Not in Stillwater
Sorority
On campus
housing
Off-campus
housing
Tobacco use in campus Vs other
off campus living areas
34.44%
33.33%
29.81%
28.36%
25.93%
25.54%
24.22%
19.40%
With parents
in Stillwater
In fraternity
and Sorority
Not in
Stillwater
25.07%
Overall Tobacco User
18.34%
On campus
housing
Smokers
Off campus
housing
Trend of Tobacco Use at OSU
37.11%
34.35%
31.53%
Tobacco users
32%
Smokers
27.36%
26.14%
Junior
senior
23.39%
17.01%
Freshman
sophomore
“Certified Healthy Business”
The Most Effective Methods
Restriction Policy
Tax Increase
Yvon Fils- Aime, FMG, MBA/HA
1202 W Farm Rd
Stillwater OK 74078
Oklahoma State University
yvon.fils-aime@okstate.edu