PSA surveys 391 Aklan households on tobacco use

KALIBO, Aklan — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is surveying 391 households across 24 barangays in Aklan to gather updated information on tobacco consumption, smoking habits, and public awareness of tobacco-related health risks.

The survey forms part of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), an internationally recognized initiative that monitors tobacco use and evaluates the effectiveness of tobacco control measures.

The findings could help health authorities identify communities and population groups at greater risk of tobacco-related illnesses, allowing government agencies to develop more targeted smoking cessation programs and public health interventions.

For households, the survey could contribute to policies aimed at reducing preventable diseases, protecting nonsmokers from tobacco exposure, and addressing the financial burden of smoking-related medical expenses.

PSA-Aklan said the survey covers selected households in 24 barangays or enumeration areas, with respondents aged 15 and older.

Field interviewers are gathering information on respondents’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, including factors that may influence tobacco consumption.

The survey also examines the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco products, the types of tobacco consumed, and the frequency and circumstances of their use.

Other questions focus on attempts to quit smoking, reasons for reducing tobacco consumption, and respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about tobacco use.

The information will help researchers examine behavioral patterns and identify factors that may influence decisions to start, continue, reduce, or stop using tobacco products.

PSA-Aklan officer-in-charge and Chief Statistical Specialist Peter S. Mangilog said the survey is conducted every five years as part of the Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS).

The international surveillance system provides a standardized approach to monitoring tobacco use and evaluating tobacco control policies across participating countries.

“The response of every respondent selected as a sample for this survey, whether they are using tobacco or not, is very crucial in order to generate reliable statistics that will serve as inputs for policy-making and program development related to health and tobacco control,” Mangilog said.

He emphasized that tobacco-related illnesses remain a major public health concern in the Philippines and worldwide.

Mangilog said reliable survey results can help authorities design interventions suited to the needs and circumstances of different communities.

The survey’s inclusion of both tobacco users and nonusers is important for understanding overall consumption patterns and assessing exposure to tobacco-related risks.

It can also help identify differences in tobacco use based on age, sex, income, and place of residence.

Public health concern

The PSA cited international studies estimating that approximately 1.3 billion people aged 15 and older use tobacco worldwide.

More than 7 million people die annually from tobacco-related illnesses, underscoring the global health burden associated with tobacco consumption.

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for diseases affecting the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and other organs.

Exposure to secondhand smoke also poses health risks to nonsmokers, including children and other vulnerable individuals.

Beyond health consequences, tobacco-related illnesses can place additional financial pressure on households through medical expenses, reduced productivity, and lost income.

For lower-income families, these costs can compound existing difficulties in accessing health care and maintaining household finances.

The survey is expected to provide updated information that could help health authorities better understand these challenges and strengthen prevention efforts.

PHL tobacco use declines but remains widespread

Results of the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey showed that 19.5% of Filipino adults, or approximately 15.1 million people, were current users of tobacco in some form.

The figure included users of smoked tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and heated tobacco products.

Tobacco consumption was substantially higher among men, with a prevalence rate of 34.7%, compared with 4.2% among women.

The findings also revealed differences between urban and rural populations.

In urban areas, 18.1% of adults reported using tobacco, while the prevalence rate in rural communities was higher at 21.1%.

The difference indicates that tobacco control programs may need to consider varying community conditions and access to health information and cessation services.

Despite the continued prevalence of tobacco use, national survey results showed a decline over the preceding years.

The proportion of Filipino adults using tobacco dropped from 23.8% in 2015 to 19.5% in 2021.

This represented an 18.1% relative decrease over the six-year period.

The decline suggests progress in reducing tobacco consumption, although millions of Filipinos continue to use tobacco products.

The latest GATS round will provide an opportunity to assess whether the downward trend has continued and identify areas requiring additional public health attention.

Survey to guide tobacco control programs

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey provides evidence that government agencies can use to evaluate existing tobacco control policies and develop new interventions.

In the Philippines, tobacco regulation is supported by Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which established restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion, sales, and smoking in designated places.

Executive Order No. 26, issued in 2017, also established smoke-free environments in public and enclosed spaces, subject to applicable regulations.

Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, regulates vaporized nicotine products, non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products.

Data from GATS can help assess public awareness of tobacco-related health risks and identify gaps in prevention, education, and cessation programs.

For Aklan, the survey could provide information relevant to local health planning and public education campaigns.

However, the PSA has not yet released findings from the ongoing provincial data collection.

The 391 selected households represent the survey sample in Aklan and should not be interpreted as a count of tobacco users in the province.

The results will require statistical processing and analysis before conclusions can be drawn about tobacco consumption patterns.

PSA-Aklan emphasized that participation by selected respondents is essential to producing reliable information, regardless of whether they currently use tobacco.

The agency said the survey supports efforts to strengthen evidence-based health policies and reduce tobacco-related risks.

For local communities, the value of the survey will ultimately depend on how its findings are translated into accessible health information, effective prevention programs, and support for Filipinos seeking to quit tobacco use.