The Impact of Tobacco-Free School Laws on Student and Staff Smoking Behavior

40 Pages Posted: 26 Dec 2017

See all articles by Rachana R. Bhatt

Rachana R. Bhatt

Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Department of Economics

Peter Hinrichs

W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Date Written: December 21, 2017

Abstract

A number of US states have enacted bans on tobacco use by students, staff, and visitors anywhere on the grounds of public elementary and secondary schools statewide. These laws are intended to reduce tobacco use, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, reinforce anti-tobacco curricula taught in schools, and prevent children from viewing their teachers and fellow students using tobacco products. We examine the impact that the laws have on the smoking behavior of students, teachers, and other school staff by estimating difference-in-differences models that exploit the time variation in adoption of the laws across states. We generally find that these laws do not impact smoking behavior, although we do find some evidence suggesting a possible effect on nonteaching school staff.

Keywords: smoking, tobacco, smoke-free laws

JEL Classification: I10, I20

Suggested Citation

Bhatt, Rachana R. and Hinrichs, Peter, The Impact of Tobacco-Free School Laws on Student and Staff Smoking Behavior (December 21, 2017). FRB of Cleveland Working Paper No. 17-24, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3092303 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3092303

Rachana R. Bhatt

Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 3992
Atlanta, GA 30302-3992
United States

Peter Hinrichs (Contact Author)

W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research ( email )

300 South Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-4686
United States

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