Youth Tobacco Survey
What survey is this?
The Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) is part of the National youth tobacco surveillance system designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help states to improve the capacity to design, implement and evaluate their own tobacco prevention and control programs. The survey provides information on many key intermediate and long-term tobacco-related indicators, allowing states to measure progress toward state and national goals and objectives.
Why Participate?
The YTS is a statewide survey that provides tobacco-related information not captured through the YRBS and NRPFSS. This information can help the state and communities plan effective youth tobacco prevention initiatives.
What topics does it cover?
The YTS collects detailed information regarding the quantity and frequency of tobacco use (vaping/electronic cigarettes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and e-cigarettes) by adolescents. It also measures knowledge, perceptions and attitudes on health risks associated with tobacco use, indicators of the impact of media and advertising, minors’ access to tobacco products, school tobacco curriculum, tobacco initiation, addiction and cessation, and exposure to secondhand smoke.
The questions on YTS have been tested by CDC to ensure that they are reliable and valid and the survey administration procedures were designed to protect the confidentiality of the student and school district and encourage honest responses from the students.
Who is eligible to participate?
Nebraska conducts the YTS in high schools. Public high school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate.
Eligible high schools are randomly selected. A subset of grades 9-12 are chosen from each participating school.
When is it conducted?
The state began to conduct the survey in 1999/2000 and it was conducted during the spring of each even year except for 2004. Because the YTS is now under the umbrella of SHARP, data was collected in the fall of even calendar years (beginning in 2010) and transitioned to odd calendar years in response to the pandemic in 2020. The 2023 administration will be the eleventh time that the YTS will be conducted in Nebraska schools.
How are data collected?
YTS uses a two stage probability sample design that is proportional to school enrollment. Nebraska high schools are randomly selected to participate, and within selected schools, specific classrooms are randomly selected. Students in selected classrooms complete the survey in one class period.
Who conducts the survey?
YTS is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Public Health's Tobacco Free Nebraska program. The Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln began administering the survey in the fall of 2010.
What is unique about the YTS?
The YTS is a robust data source for state and local health departments as well as coalitions and agencies working to reduce tobacco use. It is an excellent data source for determining youth exposure to both pro and anti-tobacco messages and interventions.
YTS Data, Materials, and Information
YTS
Questionnaires
A record of previous questionnaires in English and Spanish since 2010.
See QuestionnairesYTS
AAPOR Disclosure Form
The Bureau of Sociological Research performs SHARP research in accordance with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) standards. This document provides all the relevant disclosures for AAPOR compliance.