The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) has been conducted in all countries around the world since 1998 with support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The GYTS study conducted in many countries of the world was first conducted in Azerbaijan in 2012 by the Public Health and Reforms Center of the Ministry of Health. In order to carry out this research for the second time in our country, preparatory work on the project was started in 2015. For the realization of the research in Azerbaijan, a corresponding proposal was prepared at PHRC and submitted to the WHO European Regional Bureau. The project representatives from PHRC participated in the "Seminar on global youth tobacco survey (GYTS)" held online by WHO and CDC. The aim of the seminar was to study the conduct of the global youth tobacco survey in the other countries, exchange experience and obtain necessary information. It is noteworthy that the 2nd GYTS study coincided with the 10th anniversary of the accession of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is conducted among 13- to 15-year-old schoolchildren (grades 8, 9, 10) and increases monitoring capacity for youth tobacco use. The survey is conducted based on a common, standardized methodology and questionnaires for all countries. Based on the data of the study, it is possible to develop, implement and evaluate tobacco prevention and control programs. One of the requirements of the study is to ensure the anonymity of the schools and students who will participate in the survey, the confidentiality of the answers and the results of the survey in general.

The research was carried out in Azerbaijan with the financial support of the WHO, the coordination and implementation of PHRC, and the relevant organizational assistance of the Ministry of Education. The survey, which is the initial phase of the research, had been completed in April-May 2016. 8th, 9th and 10th grade students from 25 schools of the country pre-selected by CDC and WHO participated in the survey. The enrollment of all schools and classes of the relevant age group around the Republic of Azerbaijan gave every teenager a chance to participate in the survey. The survey was conducted by PHRC specially trained interviewers using a questionnaire adapted to the relevant students. During the research process, various data on tobacco use among 13-15 age students were collected. Questions were asked about smoking, tobacco knowledge and attitudes, tobacco cessation, second-hand smoking, tobacco-related media and advertising, and school lessons. During the survey, educational materials prepared by PHRC were distributed to students and teachers for the purpose of promoting tobacco control.

After the survey was completed, relevant data and documents collected under the terms of the initial phase of the study were sent to CDC for processing and analysis.

Based on the collected data, CDC prepared a countrywide Information Bulletin. The PHRC prepared the final report on the study and distributed it to the public attention.