Study: What is the impact of smoke-free campuses?

A literature review, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Population Health and devoted to tobacco-free campuses, shows that such a measure is effective in that it contributes to denormalizing smoking, reducing smoking prevalence, exposure to smoke, and the presence of cigarette butts. However, the literature review highlights in particular the lack of compliance of establishments, the deterioration of air quality near the campus.

The literature review was based on 54 articles published in scientific journals analyzing the impact of implementing smoke-free campuses. The vast majority of studies were devoted to US experiences (44 articles).[1].

A positive development in the acceptability of smoke-free campuses

A large majority of research on the subject shows that this measure decreases positive attitudes towards smoking. The acceptability of the tobacco-free campus tends to increase over time among students, employees and users. As the authors point out, public support for the tobacco campus is necessary because it reinforces the negative perception of tobacco, improves the positive perception of the effectiveness of tobacco-free campuses on the health of users, while reinforcing knowledge about environmental pollution. However, some studies tend to show that smokers and former smokers may oppose this measure, due to a feeling of stigmatization and infringement of individual freedoms.

A tool for denormalizing smoking

The literature review shows that some articles highlight the lack of awareness of specific rules, as well as the cessation support services available to users. Studies tend to show that tobacco-free campuses are perceived as effective in reducing tobacco consumption and passive smoking, in helping to quit, and more generally, in protecting the health of campus users. While one study indicates that tobacco-free campuses do not increase students' knowledge of the risks associated with smoking, four other studies highlight that the measure reduces positive beliefs associated with smoking (tobacco and nicotine consumption associated with weight loss, etc.). Tobacco-free campuses also participate in the denormalization of smoking, and tend to encourage students to intervene with people who violate smoking bans, to encourage them to comply with campus policy.

Lack of compliance of smoke-free campuses

The literature review, however, highlights that good compliance of institutions with the system remains a major issue, since a majority of studies show that most smokers do not respect the smoking ban in institutions. The lack of knowledge of campus users is put forward to explain these low levels of compliance. However, fifteen studies included in the literature review indicate that the implementation of a smoke-free campus results in a reduction in smoking prevalence, which intensifies over time. As a result, a lower smoking prevalence is observed in smoke-free campuses than in other institutions. Nevertheless, this policy is not identified by former smokers as their main motivation to quit, and is in itself considered insufficient to induce cessation.

A positive environmental assessment

Environmentally, studies show that smoke-free campuses reduce self-reported exposure to secondhand smoke. However, air quality is degraded in areas around campuses, where users concentrate to smoke. At the same time, studies tend to show that implementing the measure helps reduce the presence of cigarette butts on the ground. As a result, these policies allow institutions to reduce their cleaning and maintenance costs.

Keywords: Tobacco-free campus

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[1] Gnonlonfin, Geindreau, Gallopel-Morvan, What are the effects of smoke-free and tobacco-free university campus policies, and how can they be assessed? A systematic review, 04/2024, (accessed 04/10/2024)