Saint Lucians, particularly youth and public health officials, are expected to benefit significantly from the upcoming administration of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), as the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs intensifies preparations through a targeted training initiative. Facilitated by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS), a one-day seminar was recently conducted to equip field officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out the survey across secondary schools on the island.

This year marks the fifth national round of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Saint Lucia, with the last survey conducted in 2017 among the same target group. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative aimed at systematically monitoring tobacco use among in-school youth aged 13 to 15 years. The survey adheres to an internationally standardized methodology, enabling Saint Lucia to contribute to and benefit from globally comparable data on youth tobacco exposure and prevention.