Navigating Threats of Wildfires and Individual Rights to Adopt 100% Tobacco-Free Policy in Rural California Community Colleges.

BACKGROUND: In California, all four-year public colleges have adopted 100% smoke-/tobacco-free policies (TFP) whereas community colleges (CCs), particularly rural CCs, are less likely to have tobacco-free environments. This raises concerns about health equity, particularly because smoking prevalence is higher in rural areas compared to urban. We examined policy adoption barriers and facilitators for rural California CCs with the aim of providing lessons learned to support TFP adoption by rural CCs and improve conditions for student health and well-being. METHODS: A multiple case study of four CCs in California with (n = 2) and without (n = 2) TFPs was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with 12 campus and community stakeholders, school administrative data, and policy-relevant documents were analyzed at the case level with comparison across cases to identify key barriers, facilitators and campus-specific experiences. RESULTS: All four CCs shared similar barriers to policy adoption including concerns about wildfires, individual rights, and fear of marginalizing people who smoke on campus. These CCs have experienced serious wildfires in the last ten years, have high community smoking prevalence, and fewer school resources for student health. For the two tobacco-free CCs, long-term wildfire mitigation efforts along with leadership support, campus/community partnerships and a collective approach involving diverse campus sectors were essential facilitators in successful TFP adoption. CONCLUSION: Study results underscore contextual pressures and campus dynamics that impact tobacco control efforts at colleges in rural communities. Strategies to advance college TFP adoption and implementation should recognize rural cultural and community priorities.

Engaging Students in Advancing Campus Tobacco-Free Policies: A Qualitative Study of California Community Colleges' Efforts.

Introduction: Tobacco use remains a serious problem for young adults. Given the large number of young adults attending college, a tobacco-free campus is one strategy to reduce tobacco use. Young adult engagement is recognized as a common strategic practice in tobacco control policy efforts, especially in changing social norms around tobacco use. Community colleges can leverage and engage students in adoption of campus 100% tobacco-free policies. This qualitative study examines the importance of student engagement in advancing 100% tobacco-free policies in community colleges and identifies strategies for campuses to involve students in such efforts. Methods: We selected 12 community colleges and conducted key informant interviews with campus and community-based organizations that were involved in campus policy adoption efforts. We conducted 33 semistructured interviews and transcribed, coded, and analyzed them by using a thematic analytic framework with inductive and deductive approaches to examine student engagement processes. Results: Community colleges represented campuses with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) tobacco-free policy and varied by geography (urban vs rural) and student population size. Three main themes emerged: 1) no "wrong door" for students to engage in tobacco control work, 2) a myriad of ways for students to be involved in policy adoption, and 3) benefits of student engagement. Conclusion: We found that students are doers, allies, and champions in adoption of 100% campus tobacco-free policy. Colleges should leverage their campuses' most important assets - students - to be agents of change and to involve them in the full spectrum of interventions and advocacy.

School and Community Factors Associated With the Adoption of 100% Smoke-free Policy by California Community Colleges, 2003-2019.

PURPOSE: Smoke- and tobacco-free policy (SFP) is an effective strategy that can reduce tobacco-related health disparities among young adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal design using administrative, survey, policy data sources, and geocoded tobacco outlet and American Community Survey data. SETTING: California community colleges (CC) and cities/communities where colleges are located, 2003-2019. SAMPLE: 114 California CCs. DATA: School-level (i.e., student population and demographics) and community-level data (socio-demographics, local tobacco control policy, tobacco-related norms and availability, and health resources) from 2003 to 2019. MEASURES: Key outcome is the year CC adopted a 100% SFP. ANALYSIS: Bivariate and multivariate Cox survival models were used to analyze timing of SFP adoption. RESULTS: By 2019, 61 out of 114 (53.5%) CCs were 100% SFP. While community smoking prevalence and tobacco availability were not significant, CCs in rural areas were less likely to be smoke-free. CCs located in cities with stronger tobacco policies (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.08, P < .05), which reported higher student health fees (HR = 2.00, P < .05) and received technical assistance for SFP (HR = 4.59, P < .01) were significantly associated with having 100% SFP. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that key community factors (strong city tobacco policies) and school and community resources (student health fees, SFP technical assistance) are associated with the presence of 100% SFP at CCs. Resources from the community or within a college might support remaining CCs in becoming 100% smoke-free.