Strengthening a Tobacco-Free College Campus Policy Through Signage: GIS Mapping for Advocacy to Improve Implementation

Implementing tobacco-free policies on university campuses has become increasingly common. However, promoting policy compliance remains a challenge. It is important to develop strategies that can overcome barriers to successful policy implementation and promote compliance. This Practice Note presents a case study of a practical strategy for addressing poor implementation of a newly adopted tobacco-free policy. Following principles of advocacy research, a team of student researchers and a faculty advisor developed a protocol to identify tobacco-related signage and environmental cues for tobacco use (e.g., cigarette-butt receptacles, designated smoking areas) on campus. Ten months after a tobacco-free campus policy went into effect, we identified 153 signs and 65 environmental cues. Of these, only two signs accurately described the current policy. Mapping signage and cues to use tobacco on campus can be an important advocacy tool to improve the implementation of tobacco-free campus policies. Increased adherence to new policies can be achieved through advocacy and outreach to university administrators.