The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey collects self-reported tobacco use data among students in grades 6-12 in Texas public schools. The survey is sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and administered by The Bush School of Public Service and Administration (PSAA) at Texas A&M University. PSAA actively recruits about 200 Texas public schools with a grade 6-12 to participate in the statewide assessment during the spring of odd numbered years. These schools are randomly selected.
The Texas Youth Tobacco Survey is specifically designed to enhance the capacity to design, implement, and evaluate the youth component of Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs (TPCC). The YTS will provide data for students in grades 6-12 with respect to: prevalence of tobacco use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, flavored cigars, and e-cigarettes), exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), minors’ access and enforcement, knowledge and attitudes, media and advertising, school curriculum, and tobacco use cessation.
The anonymous survey is available in English and Spanish, and can be completed on paper or online. Schools randomly selected in the statewide sample as well as school districts in the funded TPCC service areas will receive a monetary incentive in exchange for participation and all survey material for free. They will also have the option to receive a Campus Level Report or a District Level Report.
How will the survey benefit my school?
This survey would be great for the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) as this survey would count as a SHAC activity and certainly worthy of mention in the mandated annual board review. In addition, schools have the option to receive a Campus Level Report detailing survey findings, which are useful for informing and developing:
- Grant applications
- School board presentations
- Campus improvement plans
- District programs
What do you get when you use the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey?
- Flexibility
- YOU choose the date (December through end of school year)
- YOU choose the format (paper or online)
- YOU choose the time (limit administration to class period or subject area)
- Convenience
- Takes only one class period to complete (about 40 minutes)
- Materials packaged in classroom envelopes for easy dissemination
- Final reports delivered in electronic format
- Support
- PSAA works with your Survey Coordinator throughout the entire survey process
- Informative data
- State, Coalition, District, and/or Campus Reports available*.
* District and Campus Reports may require surveying greater numbers of students.