Study shows promise of online tool to keep college campuses smoke- and tobacco-free
February 2022
A recent study examined the effectiveness of Tobacco Tracker, a tool to crowdsource reporting of tobacco use and related litter to shape behaviors linked to smoke- and tobacco-free policies and create healthier college campuses. UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research (CHPR) faculty member Elisa Tong, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UC Davis Health, co-authored the study in the Nicotine & Tobacco Research journal published by Oxford University Press.
The study surveyed students, faculty, and staff at two California public universities with 100% smoke- and tobacco-free policies, finding that awareness and use of Tobacco Tracker could mobilize campus communities to help reduce tobacco use. “What we found is that the Tobacco Tracker is effective in helping ingrain smoke-free policies into campus life,” said Tong. “The Tobacco Tracker is an easy way for individuals to make a difference for the environment and well-being of the campus community.”
For more information, read the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program article: “New Online Tool Helps Keep College Campuses Smoke and Tobacco Free.”