AUTHOR=Chaaya Monique , Farran Dina , Saab Dahlia , Al-Hindi Mahmoud , Romani Maya , Khairallah Mary , Nakkash Rima 

TITLE=Influence of a University Tobacco-Free Policy on the Attitudes, Perceptions of Compliance, and Policy Benefit Among the University Students: A Pre-Post Investigation

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 66 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.614602

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.614602

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a university tobacco-free policy by examining differences in students’ attitudes, perceptions of compliance and policy benefits, after one year of the policy’s implementation.  Methods: Cross-sectional studies were undertaken to collect data before and one year after the implementation of the policy. The two samples were selected using stratified random sampling.  Results:  The prevalence of smoking decreased from 26% at baseline to 21% one year after the policy was implemented (p= 0.035). The proportion of smokers who thought the policy had contributed to a reduction in smoking frequency increased from 10% at baseline to 70% one year after the policy was implemented (p <0.001). Smokers’ support for the policy rose from 42% to 58% (p= 0.007). Conclusion: Against the background of a strongly pro-tobacco environment in Lebanon, it is possible to create a positive change in the mindset of smokers at the levels of the education and smoking cessation and more efforts should be expended to bring it about.