THE RELATIONS OF SCHOOL STAFF SMOKERS ATTITUDES ABOUT MODELING SMOKING-BEHAVIOR IN STUDENTS AND THEIR RECEPTIVITY TO NO-SMOKING POLICY

This study examined school personnel smokers' reports regarding how th ey would feel if a no-smoking ban was instituted on school premises. D emographics, smoking history, interest in quitting, and perception of school staff as role models for student smoking behaviors were examine d as concurrent predictors of personnel attitudes toward a school-wide no-smoking policy. Generally, the fifty-nine respondents, sampled fro m fourteen schools, were interested in quitting smoking, but they did not favor a policy prohibiting smoking on campus. A staff role model i ndex was a significant predictor of support for a no-smoking policy; t he stronger the belief that staff influence their students' smoking, t he greater the desire for a smoking ban at school. Compliance by schoo l staff to future regulations that schools become smokefree environmen ts may be improved if staff believe or are taught that they can direct ly affect students' smoking behaviors.