The Impact of Innovative Smoking Reduction Education at Hospital Entrances: A Prospective Pre- and Post-Test Study Design

Background: Nurses are expected to play an important role in smoking reduction education. Although the smoking ban was enacted in Taiwan in 1997, which included the introduction of smoking-free areas around the entrances of hospitals, many smokers are still found near hospitals. Few smoking reduction programs have been initiated around hospital entrances. The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of an innovative smoking reduction education program, which was conducted by nursing students around the entrances of a teaching hospital. Methods: A prospective pre- and post-test study design was used. The smoking reduction education program consisted of posters, audio broadcasts, and dramatic performances that provided information and resources related to smoking reduction. Outcome variables included the number of smokers, number of cigarette butts on the ground, and the experiences from nursing students after conducting the program. Results: After adjusting for weather and temperature, the number of smokers decreased significantly in the afternoon and during the whole day after the implementation of the program. The number of cigarette butts significantly decreased during the implementation of the program. Conclusion: The findings reveal that alternative smoking reduction programs initiated around hospital entrances significantly reduced both the number of smokers and cigarette butts on the ground. Nursing students shared their positive experiences in conducting this study.