Data Elements

Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS)

CDC developed a standardized questionnaire that is used by states and also by CDC in administering a national YTS that allows comparison of state and national data. Data are collected on lifetime and current use of cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, quit attempts and intent, access to tobacco products, tobacco education received at school and home, influences to use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and beliefs about risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Questions were added to the Missouri survey to also obtain self-reported data on certain chronic conditions, physical activity and dietary patterns, and heights and weights from which BMI calculations were made to identify prevalence of overweight and at-risk for overweight.