Evaluation of the Process of Implementing an Outdoor School Ground Smoking Ban at Secondary Schools

• Published in: The Journal of school health 2018-11, Vol.88 (11), p.859-867
• Main Authors: Rozema, Andrea D., Mathijssen, Jolanda J.P., van Oers, Hans A.M., Jansen, Maria W.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administrator Attitudes; Adolescent; Adolescents; Bans; Campuses; Childrens health; Communication (Thought Transfer); Company business planning; Compliance (Legal); Data processing; Enforcement; Environmental aspects; Environmental factors; Environmental Influences; Environmental policy; Female; Government regulation; Guideline Adherence; Guidelines; Health policy; Health promotion; Humans; implementation; Interviews as Topic; Laws, regulations and rules; Lead time; Male; Medical policy; Netherlands; Nursing; Outdoor Education; outdoor smoking bans; Planning; Policy making; Qualitative research; Safety and security measures; School Personnel; School Policy; school smoking policy; Schools; secondary school; Secondary School Students; Secondary schools; Smoke-Free Policy; Smoking; Smoking - psychology; Smoking bans; Smoking cessation; Smoking Prevention - methods; Social environment; Students; Teenagers; Thematic Approach; tobacco control policy; Youth
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12692

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Although outdoor smoking bans at school are becoming important, it remains unclear whether successful implementation is feasible and what conditions promote it. Therefore, this study evaluates the implementation process by identifying important factors. METHODS Interviews were held with directors of 24 secondary schools that had decided to implement an outdoor school ground smoking ban, to identify important factors during implementation. Additionally, observations were made before and (about 4 weeks) after implementation to evaluate adherence to guidelines. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. RESULTS During implementation, the following items were important: smoking ban (eg, guidelines), school (eg, policy, enforcement, environmental factors, resources, etc), and external factors (eg, social environment). Four schools were unable to implement the ban, 20 schools implemented the ban but student adherence was low, and at 4 schools, staff members still smoked on school grounds. CONCLUSIONS Although implementation is feasible, there are challenges. Schools need to apply a phased/dynamic process with ample lead time and clear communication of the policy. Directors should deal with offenders by strictly enforcing the ban and helping them stop smoking. This study offers information to help institutes implement an outdoor smoking ban to further protect adolescents from the harm of smoking.