The Smoke-Free University: Anticipating Health Education Needs of Faculty and Staff

Abstract

A survey instrument was developed to assess the anticipated impact of smoke-free university policy on faculty and staff and to recommend health education interventions based on stages of change theory and employee interest. Four months before the policy was implemented, the 25-item anonymous questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,000 faculty/staff. A majority of university workers (85.5%) are not smokers and approve of the no-smoking policy. Smokers (14.5%) are older than nonsmokers, are more likely to have a high school versus higher education, and are more likely to be maintenance or clerical workers. Most smokers smoke less than one packper day and smoke outdoors during workhours. More smokers were in later stages of change (planning to stop soon) than expected. Interest in availability of smoking cessation activities differed by smoking status and change stage.