A sample of 36 students stratified to represent the proportion of racial and gender groups on campus was interviewed in Fall 1999. Strata included students of European, Asian, African, and Hispanic descent. Transcribed interviews of Northern Illinois students were analyzed in order to describe the patterns of behavior, motivation and demographics of students who smoke cigarettes and compare these characteristics to students who are non-smokers and those who have quit smoking. The interview guidelines for this project incorporated questions relating the health belief model and the behavior intention theory to smoking. According to the CDC, 75% of US college students have tried cigarettes and 31.3% were regular smokers at some point in their lives. US colleges and universities provide an ideal setting for smoking cessation programs, since they enroll approximately 7.1 million students.
Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation the participants will be able to identify the health beliefs and social norms that influence college students to smoke or quit
Keywords: College Students, Smoking
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.