Evaluating california campus tobacco policies using the American college health association guidelines and the institutional grammar tool

Objective: To measure comprehensiveness of California campus tobacco policies.

Participants: Sixteen campuses representing different regions, institution types, and policies. Research occurred June-August 2013.

Methods: Comprehensiveness was scored using American College Health Association's (ACHA) Position Statement on Tobacco. The Institutional Grammar Tool was used to breakdown policy statements into Strategies, Norms, or Rules. Differences in ACHA score and number of Strategies, Norms, and Rules were assessed by region, policy, and institution type.

Results: Median ACHA score was 0.35 (scale of 0-1). Schools with 100% tobacco-free policies had highest ACHA scores, but failed to address relationships between schools and tobacco companies. Less than half the schools assessed (7/16) had Rules (enforceable penalties related to policies). In 67% of the policy statements, individuals doing the action were implied (not specifically stated).

Conclusion: Campuses should address ACHA recommendations related to campus relationships with tobacco companies, include enforceable rules, and specify individuals and entities covered by policy.