Student behavior toward the implementation of smoke-free area policy in health higher education institutions: A descriptive study
https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v6i3.523
Keywords:
Attitude, Knowledge, Practice, Smoke-free area, StudentsAbstract
Background
Smoke-Free Area (SFA) policies are an essential public health intervention aimed at reducing tobacco exposure and promoting a healthy environment, particularly in higher education institutions. However, compliance remains a challenge, even in health-focused universities where students are expected to model healthy behavior.
Objective
This study aims to analyze student behavior toward the implementation of the Smoke-Free Area (SFA) policy in a health higher education institution.
Methods
A descriptive quantitative study was conducted among 32 male students at STIKes Al-Maarif Baturaja using a total sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to assess students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the SFA policy. Data were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics.
Results
The findings revealed that while most students demonstrated a positive attitude toward the SFA policy (62.5%), only 28.1% had good knowledge and 18.8% showed favorable practices. The majority exhibited moderate levels of knowledge (37.5%) and practice (50%), with 34.4% showing poor knowledge and 31.2% demonstrating poor adherence in practice. Students were aware of the health risks of smoking and supported policy enforcement, but lacked sufficient knowledge of policy implementation and institutional mechanisms.
Conclusion
There is a notable gap between students' positive attitudes and their actual practices and knowledge regarding the SFA policy. This misalignment indicates that students are not yet fully engaged as active change agents in promoting a smoke-free campus. It is crucial for institutions to strengthen educational efforts, provide clear policy communication, and engage students in policy enforcement mechanisms. Integrating SFA values into academic and extracurricular activities may foster better awareness and behavioral alignment among health students.
Downloads
References
Aini, A., Apriyanti, P., & Febriyanto, G. (2024). Gambaran Pendidikan dan Pengetahuan Ibu Hamil Terhadap Pengaruh Asap Rokok. Lentera Perawat, 5(1), 18-25.
Al-Othman, N., Ghanim, M., & Alqaraleh, M. (2021). Comparison between Smoking and Nonsmoking Palestinian Medical Students in the Health-Promoting Behaviors and Lifestyle Characteristics. Biomed Res Int, 2021, 5536893. doi:10.1155/2021/5536893
Aoike, M., Mori, Y., Hotta, K., Shigeno, Y., Aoyama, Y., Tanaka, M., . . . Ito, M. (2022). Evaluation of Japanese university students' perception of smoking, interest in quitting, and smoking behavior: An examination and public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug Discov Ther, 16(3), 118-123. doi:10.5582/ddt.2022.01041
Arisandi, M., & Novitry, F. (2024). Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian Tuberkulosis di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah. Lentera Perawat, 5(1), 123-133.
Benny, C., Patte, K. A., Veugelers, P. J., Senthilselvan, A., Leatherdale, S. T., & Pabayo, R. (2023). A Longitudinal Study of Income Inequality and Mental Health Among Canadian Secondary School Students: Results From the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental Health, Physical Activity, Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedentary Behavior Study (2016-2019). J Adolesc Health, 73(1), 70-78. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.028
Budianto, Y. (2020). Hubungan Antara Perilaku Merokok Dengan Prestasi Belajar Pada Mahasiswa Laki-Laki Di Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan. Lentera Perawat, 1(1), 7-12.
Chen, J., Luo, M., Gan, L., Li, H., Liu, S., Ren, N., . . . Luo, Z. (2024). The association between smoking and family health with the mediation role of personality among Chinese people: nationwide cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 206. doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05654-x
Danielsen, D., Jensen, T. S., Kjeld, S. G., Bast, L. S., & Andersen, S. (2023). Context matters in smoking prevention: evaluating smoke-free school hours in Danish vocational schools. Health Promot Int, 38(2). doi:10.1093/heapro/daad030
Emre, N., Edirne, T., & Ozsahin, A. (2021). Waterpipe smoking, internet addiction and depression: A public health problem trio? Int J Clin Pract, 75(4), e13852. doi:10.1111/ijcp.13852
Garzillo, E. M., Monaco, M. G. L., Corvino, A. R., Giardiello, A., Arnese, A., Napolitano, F., . . . Lamberti, M. (2022). Smoking Habits and Workplace Health Promotion among University Students in Southern Italy: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Investigation. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(17). doi:10.3390/ijerph191710682
Hutchesson, M. J., Whatnall, M. C., Yazin, N., Fenton, S., Duncan, M. J., Kay-Lambkin, F. J., & Burrows, T. L. (2022). Health behavior interventions for university students measuring mental health outcomes: A scoping review. Front Public Health, 10, 1063429. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1063429
Kuwabara, Y., Kinjo, A., Kim, H., Minobe, R., Maesato, H., Higuchi, S., . . . Osaki, Y. (2023). Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Smoking Prevalence Among Adolescents. JAMA Netw Open, 6(10), e2338166. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38166
Mansouri, M., Sadeghi, O., Roshanfekr, P., Sharifi, F., Varmaghani, M., Yaghubi, H., . . . Masjedi, M. R. (2020). Prevalence of smoking and its association with health-related behaviours among Iranian university students: a large-scale study. East Mediterr Health J, 26(10), 1251-1261. doi:10.26719/emhj.20.053
Martins, S. R., Szklo, A. S., Bussacos, M. A., Prado, G. F., Paceli, R. B., Fernandes, F. L. A., . . . Santos, U. P. (2021). Knowledge of and attitudes toward the WHO MPOWER policies to reduce tobacco use at the population level: a comparison between third-year and sixth-year medical students. J Bras Pneumol, 47(1), e20190402. doi:10.36416/1806-3756/e20190402
Mylocopos, G., Wennberg, E., Reiter, A., Hébert-Losier, A., Filion, K. B., Windle, S. B., . . . Eisenberg, M. J. (2024). Interventions for Preventing E-Cigarette Use Among Children and Youth: A Systematic Review. Am J Prev Med, 66(2), 351-370. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2023.09.028
Pamungkas, K. B., Maramis, F. R. R., & Tucunan, A. A. T. (2020). Perilaku mahasiswa terhadap penerapan kebijakan kawasan tanpa rokok di fakultas kesehatan masyarakat universitas sam ratulangi. KESMAS: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Sam Ratulangi, 9(7), 1-8.
Prijić, Ž., & Igić, R. (2021). Cigarette smoking and medical students. J buon, 26(5), 1709-1718.
Rababah, J. A., & Al-Hammouri, M. M. (2023). Health Literacy and Smoking Habits Among a Sample of Jordanian University Students. J Community Health, 48(1), 30-37. doi:10.1007/s10900-022-01139-8
Riera-Sampol, A., Rodas, L., Martínez, S., Moir, H. J., & Tauler, P. (2022). Caffeine Intake among Undergraduate Students: Sex Differences, Sources, Motivations, and Associations with Smoking Status and Self-Reported Sleep Quality. Nutrients, 14(8). doi:10.3390/nu14081661
Rodakowska, E., Mazur, M., Baginska, J., Sierpinska, T., La Torre, G., Ottolenghi, L., . . . Guerra, F. (2020). Smoking Prevalence, Attitudes and Behavior among Dental Students in Poland and Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(20). doi:10.3390/ijerph17207451
Seo, C., Di Carlo, C., Dong, S. X., Fournier, K., & Haykal, K. A. (2021). Risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among medical students: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(12), e0261785. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261785
Singh, B., Chand, S. S., & Chen, H. (2021). Tobacco smoking initiation among students in Samoa and health concerns. PLOS ONE, 16(10), e0258669. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0258669
van Hooijdonk, K. J. M., Rubio, M., Simons, S. S. H., van Noorden, T. H. J., Luijten, M., Geurts, S. A. E., & Vink, J. M. (2022). Student-, Study- and COVID-19-Related Predictors of Students' Smoking, Binge Drinking and Cannabis Use before and during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in The Netherlands. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(2). doi:10.3390/ijerph19020812
Yang, Q., Yang, F., & Zhang, K. (2022). Influence of Psychological Factors on College Students' Smoking Behavior: Moderating Role of Tobacco Advertising Receptivity and Health Behavior. Am J Health Behav, 46(1), 12-28. doi:10.5993/ajhb.46.1.2
Yang, X., Chen, W., Peng, X., Wei, C., Xin, J., Tang, J., . . . Luan, R. (2020). The prevalence of smoking in male medical students from 16 Chinese medical colleges and the associated factors. Ann Palliat Med, 9(6), 4054-4065. doi:10.21037/apm-20-2101
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Lina Oktavia, Toto Harto
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
