Paper
Thursday, 20 July 2006
Change in College Smoking Policy: An Evidence-Based Approach
Kathleen A. Fagan, DNSc, RN, BC, APN, C, School of Nursing, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Identify the stepwise process to initiate an institutional change policy relating to environmental tobacco smoke on a college campus. |
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the challenges and outcomes of changing institutional policy related to environmental tobacco smoke on a college campus. |
Problem:
More than 430,000 Americans die annually from complications related to cigarette smoking. The Surgeon General’s Report (1986) concluded that involuntary smoking is a cause of disease in non-smokers and lead to the classification of ETS as a Class A human carcinogen. In June, 2002, the American College Health Association (ACHA) recommended prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of any entrance to college buildings.
Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to change the institutional smoking policy that permitted smoking at all entrances to college buildings. Two secondary purposes were to provide a smoke free environment for all those who were subject to ETS on campus and to increase smokers’ awareness of the health benefits of smoking cessation.
Methodology:
Surveys were distributed to students, faculty, staff and administration. The findings indicated that passive smoking was not acceptable to the majority of responders. Representatives of the college administration, faculty, staff and students formed an Environmental Tobacco Committee. The goal of this committee was to follow the Rosswurm and Larrabee’s Model for Change to Evidence-Based Practice (1999) in order to change the institutional smoking policy.
Findings:
Two (2) years after the initiation of the change project, a new institutional Environmental Smoking Policy prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of all college buildings and walking pathways was launched on the Great American Smoke out, November 2002. This change initiative is an ongoing effort to disseminate the findings and to assist other institutions in this valuable endeavor.
Implications for College/University Healthcare Providers:
This proactive initiative can be instrumental in decreasing the risks and incidence of smoking related illnesses related to smoking and ETS. It is an opportunity for college/healthcare providers to develop leadership roles in changing health policy through vested interest partnerships, community collaboration and ongoing research.
See more of Creating an Evidence-Based Nursing Environment
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)