The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office carries out the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco (GATS) Survey, the third survey of its kind since its first implementation in 2009, on November 5, 2021 to December 4, 2021.

The PSA, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), is conducting the 2021 GATS, a nationally representative household survey of adults 15 years of age or older designed to systematically monitor adult tobacco use.  It is being conducted in the Philippines, as well as in several countries as part of the Global Tobacco Surveillance System. This DOH-funded survey is technically supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United States (US) Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC), and Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International. 

The survey aims to produce national and urban-rural estimates of tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoking, frequency of quit attempts, and measure the impact of various control and prevention initiatives at the country level. The survey result will serve as bases to help the DOH adjust current policies and craft new health programs in the country relative to tobacco control.

Based on the results of the first two rounds of the GATS in the Philippines, the national prevalence of tobacco uses among adult Filipinos aged 15 years and over decreased to 23.8 percent in 2015 from 29.7 percent in 2009. By sex, decrease of prevalence was also observed from 49.5 percent to 41.9 percent among males, and from 10.1 percent to 5.8 percent among females. On the average, the price of manufactured cigarettes almost doubled, increasing from PhP24.9 in 2009
to PhP48.0 in 2015. From 2009 to 2015 GATS, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in homes also decreased from 54.4 percent to 34.7 percent; and in the workplace from 32.6 percent to 21.5 percent. The largest decline in exposure to SHS occurred in government premises, from 25.5 percent in 2009 to 13.6 percent in 2015, among all public places for which data were collected.

For this survey round, the 2021 GATS will look into the levels and patterns of smoking in the Philippines considering the hard work inculcated in anti-smoking campaigns and the new tax scheme imposed on tobacco products by the government.

In La Union, a total of 82 randomly selected households from six sample barangays will be visited by one hired Field 

Statistical Specialist Danites E. Teñido, Ph.D.; Statistical Specialist II Susan Cora F. Hufana, Provincial Focal Person; and Statistical Analyst Karl Josef G. Hufana, Alternate Focal Person.   The interview will be conducted using an electronic data collection device that consists two parts – the Household Questionnaire and and the Individual Questionnaire. 

All of the information that will be provided by a sample household will be kept confidential and not for disclosure unless authorized by law.  The PSA adheres to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10173 or the Data Privacy act and R.A. No. 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act.  The PSA will release data only in the form of summaries or statistical tables. 

The PSA enjoins the public to support the 2021 GATS by providing the required information.  The PSA assures the public that the hired FI is in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as wearing of face mask and face shield, physical distancing, proper hygiene and sanitation, and wearing of PSA ID.  The hired FI shall also observe all protocols laid down by the Local Government Units.  (LGUs). ###

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

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