ATS

The Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS) is a population-based, random-digit-dial telephone survey of adults aged 18 and older to monitor and evaluate smoking and tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors every two years.

Results are used to determine smoking prevalence estimates and to track changes over time in factors related to smoking and health in Louisiana. The ATS provides vital baseline data for the further development and evaluation of tobacco control programs and policies. It is essential that trends in adult tobacco use, attitudes, and cessation efforts be monitored, as adults are key role models for youth tobacco behaviors. Adults establish social norms for tobacco use and adult cessation efforts have a direct impact on the risk of secondhand smoke.

The survey consists of seven "core" sections with questions aboutrespondents’ general health, tobacco use, demographic items, and health and social influences. Additionally, TFL added sections that ask questions pertaining to locally relevant issues for Louisiana, including exposure to TFLs media campaign to promote cessation services and reduce environmental exposure to secondhand smoke.

ATS data are weighted to reflect the age, gender,and racial/ethnic distribution of Louisianas adult population, and to account for the differences in the probability of selection and non-response. The response rate for the ATS is calculated using the CASRO (Council of American Survey Research Organizations) method.

TFL is currently preparing the ATS to be administered in Louisiana for the first time, in partnership with the Office of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.