BACKGROUND: The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is a global benchmark for systematically tracking youth tobacco use and evaluating tobacco control measures. This study compares the results of the 2017 and 2023 GYTS in Georgia, highlighting trends in tobacco use among adolescents aged 13-15 years and their exposure to tobacco-related influences.
METHODS: Both the 2017 and 2023 GYTS in Georgia employed a nationally representative, school-based survey design using a two-stage cluster sampling method. In 2017, 1.345 students (954 aged 13-15) participated, while in 2023, 2.569 students (1.845 aged 13-15) completed the survey. Data were collected via standardized, anonymous, self-administered questionnaires covering tobacco use, cessation behavior, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), tobacco marketing, access to tobacco products, and knowledge and attitudes about tobacco use.
RESULTS: Cigarette smoking slightly decreased from 8.4% in 2017 to 5.2% in 2023, while electronic cigarette use rose from 13.2% to 11.3%. Smokeless tobacco use also saw a marginal decrease from 4.4% to 4.2%. The proportion of students attempting to quit smoking rose from 60.8% in 2017 to 60.4% in 2023. Exposure to SHS remained high, with 35.7% exposed at home in 2023 compared to similar levels in 2017. Additionally, 67.9% of underage smokers in 2023 were not prevented from purchasing cigarettes, showing limited improvement from 2017. Tobacco marketing exposure at points of sale increased from 50% in 2017 to 52.2% in 2023, despite existing bans.
CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of 2017 and 2023 GYTS data reveals persistent challenges in youth tobacco control in Georgia. While cigarette smoking rates have declined, the rise in electronic cigarette use and sustained exposure to secondhand smoke and tobacco marketing remain significant public health concerns. Stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws, comprehensive youth-targeted prevention programs, and tighter regulations on marketing and product accessibility are critical for reducing tobacco use among Georgian youth.