2006-12-31-世界卫生组织-2007_GYTS_Fact_Sheet_Trinidad_and_Tobago_1页_38kb

Trinidad & Tobago (Ages 13-15) GYTS Summary

Core Content

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in Trinidad & Tobago in 2007 provides critical insights into tobacco use among students aged 13-15. The survey employed a two-stage cluster sampling design, ensuring a representative sample of the student population. A total of 1,802 students participated, with an overall response rate of 74.0%. The data collected focuses on prevalence of tobacco use and five determinants that influence tobacco consumption: access/availability and price, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), cessation, media and advertising, and school curriculum.

Key Findings

Tobacco Use Prevalence

• 34.4% of students had ever smoked cigarettes.
• 19.9% currently use any tobacco product.
  • Boys: 20.8%
  • Girls: 17.8%
• 12.9% currently smoke cigarettes.
  • Boys: 14.7%
  • Girls: 10.3%
• 8.9% currently use other tobacco products.
  • Boys: 8.9%
  • Girls: 8.7%
• 14.4% of never smokers are likely to initiate smoking in the next year.

Knowledge and Attitudes

• 29.9% of students think that boys who smoke have more friends.
• 14.9% think that girls who smoke have more friends.
• 8.9% of students think that boys who smoke look more attractive.
• 4.1% think that girls who smoke look more attractive.

Access and Availability

• 46.3% of current smokers usually smoke at home.
• 26.5% buy cigarettes in a store.
• 11.8% have an object with a cigarette brand logo.
• 4.9% were offered free cigarettes by a tobacco company representative.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (SHS)

• 40.1% live in homes where others smoke in their presence.
• 64.2% are exposed to smoke around others in places outside their home.
• 32.7% have one or more parents who smoke.
• 5.5% have most or all friends who smoke.
• 77.5% believe smoke from others is harmful to them.
• 80.9% think smoking should be banned from public places.

Cessation

• 83.4% of current smokers want to stop smoking.
• 79.7% have tried to stop smoking in the past year.
• 73.1% have ever received help to stop smoking.

Media and Advertising

• 86.7% of students saw anti-smoking media messages in the past 30 days.
• 74.3% saw pro-cigarette ads on billboards.
• 70.0% saw pro-cigarette ads in newspapers or magazines.
• 11.8% have an object with a cigarette brand logo.
• 4.9% were offered free cigarettes by a tobacco company representative.

School Curriculum

• 44.5% had been taught about the dangers of smoking in the past year.
• 26.9% discussed reasons why people their age smoke.
• 42.3% learned about the effects of tobacco use.

Main Viewpoints

• Tobacco use is common among adolescents in Trinidad & Tobago, with nearly 20% currently using any tobacco product.
• Cigarette smoking is prevalent, with 12.9% of students currently smoking.
• High exposure to secondhand smoke is a major concern, with over 40% of students living in homes where smoking occurs and 64% exposed to SHS in public spaces.
• Strong public perception of the harm caused by secondhand smoke and support for banning smoking in public places indicates a growing awareness of the health risks.
• Media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions, with over 70% of students exposed to pro-cigarette advertising, while 86.7% saw anti-smoking messages.
• Schools have a role in tobacco prevention, though only 44.5% of students were taught about the dangers of smoking, and 42.3% learned about the effects of tobacco use.

Key Information for Tobacco Control

The GYTS data highlights several areas where Trinidad & Tobago could improve its tobacco control strategy:

• Regulating access to tobacco products, especially among youth.
• Reducing exposure to SHS through stricter smoking bans and awareness campaigns.
• Enhancing cessation support for current smokers.
• Limiting pro-tobacco advertising and increasing anti-smoking messaging.
• Integrating tobacco education into the school curriculum to raise awareness and prevent initiation.

These findings can guide the development of a comprehensive tobacco control program that addresses both the prevalence and underlying determinants of tobacco use among adolescents.