The right mix of timing and motivation: supporting higher education and training organisations in Queensland to become totally smoke-free Kirsty Tinsley - Senior Health Promotion Officer Preventive Health Branch -Queensland Department of Health

Higher Education and Training Setting in QLD 2016 - Queensland Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into smoking and tobacco use at universities, TAFE facilities, and registered training organisations. 2/10 universities and 1/55 TAFE campuses were totally smoke- free, remaining campuses were a mix of nominated areas or tobacco laws only applying. Inquiry considered legislative option, but recommended the government worked with the sector to self-regulate by providing advice and support for smoke-free environments. By 1 July 2018 - 9/10 universities and all 55 TAFE campuses had implemented total smoke-free policies. 1 university introduced a smoke-free policy with nominated areas.

What worked – good timing and motivation Smoke-free education and workplace settings were well established by legislative reform. Government – commitment and support (resource $$ and 1.0FTE). Evidence for the benefits and age of uptake increasing with the greatest increase being for young people with a bachelor degree or higher, where the age of initiation increased by 1.6 years to 17.3 years.1 Collaborative approach in WA and VIC – gave a good example of success. 2 Universities and 1 TAFE campus in Queensland were totally smoke-free. 1 AIHW (2016) Tobacco Indicators: measuring midpoint progress – reporting under the National Tobacco Strategy 2012-2018. Drug Statistics series no. 30. PHE 210. Canberra: AIHW.

What worked - collaborative process QLD Chief Health Officer – correspondence to VC’s and TAFE QLD CEO – requesting a key contact for the initiative. Mostly WPH&S or HR representatives. Forum – all universities and TAFE QLD attended – QUT and ACU presented their experiences and success stories. Department presented evidence for smoke-free and collaborative approach (as in WA/VIC). Unanimous decision for a collaborative approach – VC’s and TAFE QLD CEO approval sought and granted. Support from Department of Health including a policy guide and regular collaborative meetings.

What worked – good communication Good communication essential to encouraging compliance with the smoke-free policy Support provided by the Queensland Department of Health Many strategies to reach staff and students with smoke-free messaging and support to quit smoking Where possible strategies were embedded for sustainability Each organisation had their own branding Some collaboratively branded posters

Griffith University

TAFE Queensland

University of Queensland James Cook University