A guide developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2014) gives an overview of basic and most frequently used data sources needed for surveillance and evaluation in national and state tobacco control programs.

The booklet provides a section focusing exclusively on global surveys and tools, outlining the requirements and methods for the four survey types conducted as part of the Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS) and a global study for school students. These surveys include:

1. Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (GATS)
2. Global School Personnel Survey (GSPS)
3. Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS)
4. Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)
5. Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)

Most other studies outlined in the book are predominantly US based, but other national tobacco control programs can find the guide helpful in identifying their data needs and suitable methods for data collection. The booklet presents a wide variety of national surveys and topic-specific tools e.g. on health systems, sales, policy and tracking, and tobacco industry monitoring.

More information about global surveillance system data is provided on the CDC website for global tobacco control.

Additionally, CDC has developed a GATS Atlas (2015) that presents data obtained from surveys in 22 GATS countries. The Atlas presents statistics on topics following the MPOWER framework as well as WHO FCTC Articles, including tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, cessation, bans and taxes.   

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance and Evaluation Data Resources for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2014.

Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/tobacco_control_programs/surveillance_evaluation/surveillance_manual/index.htm