Enforcing an outdoor smoking ban on a college campus: effects of a multicomponent approach

Abstract

Objectives: Data on effective strategies to enforce policies banning outdoor smoking are sparse. This study tested the effects of an enforcement package implemented on a college campus.

Participants: Thirty-nine observers recorded compliance of 709 outside smokers.

Methods: Smoking within 25 feet of buildings was noncompliant. The intervention included moving receptacles, marking the ground, improving signage, and distributing reinforcements and reminder cards.

Results: The proportion of smokers complying with the ban was 33% during the baseline observation period, increased to 74% during the intervention week, and was at 54% during the follow-up. Differences across conditions was statistically significant (chi2(2, N = 709) = 6.299, p <.001). Compliance proportions varied by location in all conditions.

Conclusions: Enforcing an outdoor smoking ban using a multiple component package increased compliance with the nonsmoking policy on a college campus.