Those with knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco are less likely to use it than are those without such knowledge. Tobacco knowledge has typically been explored among preadolescents and adolescents, but little research on tobacco has focused on college students, even though, compared to other age groups, they are quite likely to be smokers. The present study compared college student tobacco users and nonusers on tobacco knowledge. A total of 300 undergraduates (216 women, 84 men) from a southeastern university completed 14 tobacco knowledge questions and 4 attitude items. Nonsmoking college students had more tobacco knowledge, and more negative tobacco attitudes, than smoking college students. An implication is that education specifically targeted to college students might improve tobacco knowledge and in turn reduce tobacco use for a very high-risk group.

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