BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the most common risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 27% of all deaths in Tanzania are due to NCDs, Tanzania conducted the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in 2018, this was the first and nationally representative survey on tobacco use in Tanzania that aimed at informing stakeholders and guiding evidence-based decision-making in tobacco control.
METHODS: 4976 households and 4797 individuals 15 years of age and older were interviewed. households were sampled, and one adult (defined as 15 years of age or older) was randomly selected from each participating household to complete the GATS individual questionnaire. The overall response rate was 91.7%, with a household response rate of 95.1% and an individual response rate of 96.4%.
RESULTS: 8.7% of adults currently use tobacco(smoking or smokeless), with a higher prevalence among men (14.6%) compared to women (3.2%). Rural populations exhibit a higher tobacco use rate than urban areas, indicating regional disparities in consumption patterns. Additionally,13.8 % of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, while 32.9% face exposure in workplaces, highlighting the widespread health risks of involuntary smoke exposure. Despite these challenges, the survey indicates that 76.8% of smokers are interested in quitting, yet access to cessation programs remains limited.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings call for strengthened tobacco control policies, enhanced public education, and improved cessation support to reduce tobacco use and its associated respiratory disease burden eg. Tuberculosis in Tanzania however the findings have not been effectively disseminated locally and internationally. This abstract aims to communicate Findings and suggest innovative counseling and quitline to a wide community through this conference to inform policymakers, public health practitioners, and activists with actionable insights to help invest and advance tobacco control initiatives in the developing world especially in Tanzania.