Page 17 - NIH Bulletin Vol. 21: January - June 2023 NIH Way Forward

Vol : 21 • January - Jun 2023 •

>> YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, the
Minister of Health Malaysia,
delivered a speech and officially
launched the GATS study.
UPCOMING INSIGHTS: THE ANTICIPATED GLOBAL ADULT
UPCOMING INSIGHTS: THE ANTICIPATED GLOBAL ADULT
UPCOMING INSIGHTS: THE ANTICIPATED GLOBAL ADULT
UPCOMING INSIGHTS: THE ANTICIPATED GLOBAL ADULT
TOBACCO SURVEY (GATS) IN MALAYSIA
TOBACCO SURVEY (GATS) IN MALAYSIA
TOBACCO SURVEY (GATS) IN MALAYSIA
TOBACCO SURVEY (GATS) IN MALAYSIA
• • • • • •
Ms. Noor Syaqilah Shawaluddin and Dr. Tania Gayle Robert Lourdes

he Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) is a 2011, also in collaboration with the WHO and CDC.
Tnational household survey targeting individuals GATS 2023 was launched by YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa
aged 15 and above in Malaysia. GATS enables the at the Lexis Hotel, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
collection of data on tobacco use and key tobacco on 11th June 2023. Technical support from the CDC,
control measures. Specifically, this survey aims US, Mr. Lazarous Mbulo and Mr. Stephen Litavecz
to obtain data on the percentage of tobacco use, were also present during the data collection
electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, workshop and the launching. Data collection
as well as other key indicators of tobacco control. began simultaneously on the 12th of June 2023 in
It covers topics such as tobacco use prevalence all states across Malaysia. The survey covers all states
(both smoking and smokeless tobacco products), and federal territories in Malaysia, encompassing a
exposure to second-hand smoke, tobacco control total of 5,780 randomly selected households that
policies, cessation efforts, knowledge, attitudes, represent both urban and rural areas.
perceptions, media exposure, and economics.
The GATS is conducted in collaboration with the The latest data and trends on tobacco use derived
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from GATS will play a crucial role in empowering
the United States of America and the World Health the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to enhance
Organisation (WHO). GATS has been conducted in tobacco control strategies within the nation. The
over 30 low- and middle-income countries with findings obtained through GATS will provide
high tobacco use burdens. valuable support in shaping policies and public
health strategies aimed at further reducing the
This is the second GATS study being conducted in prevalence of smoking and fostering the growth of
Malaysia, where the initial study was carried out in a healthier, smoke-free generation in Malaysia.

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