March 28, 2024

The Philippine Statistics Authority is enjoining the public to support the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2021 GATS) from Nov. 3 to Dec. 4. 

Commissioned by the Department of Health, the 2021 GATS is a nationally representative household survey of adults 15 years of age or older designed to systematically monitor adult tobacco use. 

Technical support is provided by the World Health Organization, U.S. Center for Disease Prevention and Control, and Research Triangle Institute International.

The 2021 GATS aims to gather information on adult tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) and key tobacco control indicators across countries. Specifically, it intends to provide estimates of tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoking, quit attempts, and other key tobacco control indicators at the urban/rural level.

The 2021 GATS is the third survey of its kind to be administered in the country.

In between 2009 and 2015, effective strides were made in regard to tobacco control measures. These include restructuring of excise taxes on tobacco products, development and implementation of tobacco ordinances by local government units, placement of graphic health warnings in packages and billboards, and implementation of 100 percent smoke-free policies.

The 2021 GATS uses a geographically clustered multistage sampling methodology to identify the specific households that will be interviewed.

The interview, which will be conducted using an electronic data collection device, consists of two parts: the household questionnaire and individual questionnaire.  

Authorized PSA interviewers will visit the sample households and individuals to conduct the interview.

For PSA-Benguet, there are 22 field interviewers and five team supervisors to visit the 2,062 sample households in Baguio City and 98 sample households in Benguet.  

The PSA adheres to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality pursuant to Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and RA 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013.

All information gathered on the survey are confidential and not for disclosure unless authorized by law. 

PSA will release data only in the form of summaries or statistical tables.

The office assured the public that required public health and safety measures to contain Covid-19 will be strictly observed in all phases of field operations. – Press release