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Background Ecuador has developed several national surveys in order to monitor tobacco consumption and tobacco control measures. Nonetheless, this country needed to update this information as well as to obtain data which can be comparable at regional and international levels. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, with support from the Pan American Health Organization, has undertaken the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in 2016, studying second hand smoke exposure, TAPS, knowledge regarding effects of tobacco consumption. Methods Ecuador implemented same design and methodology established by GYTS, which consists on a uniform basic questionnaire, applied to 13 - 15 years old students. Specifically, this country decided to include questions related to tobacco use, access and availability, cessation, among others. Questionnaires were applied anonymously among students from private or public schools in Quito, Guayaquil and at a National Level, who were chosen randomly. GYTS was previously conducted in 2001 and 2007 in Quito, Guayaquil and Zamora. Results Main results included: ever cigarette consumption reduced in Quito from 58.5% in 2001 to 56% in 2007 and to 42.2% in 2016. In Guayaquil, this percentage did not change from 2001 to 2007; however, it decreased to 17.5% in 2016. Additionally, current cigarette consumption in Guayaquil was at 9.1% in 2001, 12.2% in 2007 and 6% in 2016. In Quito, this percentage was at 20.5% in 2001, 20.5% in 2007 and 12.1% in 2016. The new data collected at national level presented current cigarette consumption in Ecuador among this population group is at 13% and current e-cigarette consumption is at 10.7%. Conclusions Concluding, tobacco consumption among 13 to 15 years old Ecuadorian population has significantly decreased throughout the last 15 years. Finally, it is important to mention that this country ratified WHO FCTC in 2006 and approved a national comprehensive tobacco control law in 2011. |
