Phases of Policy Development

The most effective tobacco-free campus policies are well thought out, successfully implemented, and actively promoted (which may mean direct enforcement at some campuses). SPARK has identified three phases in a tobacco-free campus:

Phase 1: Environmental Assessment

Each campus needs to determine if they are ready to begin the tobacco-free campus policy process. Launching a campus-wide tobacco-free campus survey will help answer that question. This is also a time to start building relationships with possible partners within the campus community, as well as, to gauge the campus environment and political climate.

Phase 2: Tobacco-Free Policy Adoption

This step is where those working on this issue begin taking steps to bring the proposed tobacco-free policy into action. SPARK has model policy language that is available upon request. It is important to maintain momentum of group members and campus networks in this stage. Reaching out to campus/community media sources is crucial in promoting the need for a tobacco-free campus and urging campus leaders to act.

Phase 3: Tobacco-Free Policy Implementation

This phase is the “carrying out” of a passed tobacco-free campus policy. In this stage it is important to focus on education, promotion, and compliance of the new policy. Implementation activities include educating the campus community on the policy, updating or adding applicable signage, and revising policy language in campus written materials and websites (including campus catalogs, course schedules, and employee and student manuals). A key to successful implementation is education. If the campus community is educated on the policy, they are much more likely to comply with the policy.