The review found ample evidence that quit-smoking programs and other interventions can change attitudes and reduce tobacco use among college students, lead author Rebecca Murphy-Hoefer said. Some of the better results came from "environmental" interventions like no-smoking zones, anti-tobacco advertisements and smoking-restricted dormitories.

Anti-tobacco and quit-smoking campaigns should also enlist the help of campus resources among them residence and academic advisors; coaches; and student health centers, the review recommends.

"First and foremost, the research shows that even smokers appreciate smoke-free policies," she said.

Murphy-Hoefer and colleagues in the Office on Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted the review, which appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The researchers looked at 20 years of tobacco-intervention studies aimed at college and university students and selected 14 studies that had strong statistical merit. Differences in the design of the studies and a dearth of rigorous research made it impossible to draw hard conclusions on the most effective tobacco-reduction strategies, Murphy-Hoefer says.

Still, the CDC review does reveal clues about what works and suggest new research paths especially those that include larger participant pools and control groups.

A 1999 study at Ursinus College designed to reduce public smoking reports 35 percent fewer cigarette butts found in campus buildings after "Think. Why Smoke?" messages were posted at the university.

A 1997 study found 28 percent of men and 30 percent of women smoking less after smoke-free policies were implemented at a German university,
'"/>

Contact: Joel London
izL4@cdc.gov
Center for the Advancement of Health
9-Feb-2005