Objective:

To use evidence from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) to inform tobacco-control policy in Suriname.

Materials and methods:

The GYTS was conducted in 2000, 2004 and 2009 among secondary school students (13 to 15 years) in a two-stage cluster sample design.

Results:

2744 students, age 13 to 15, participated. From 2000 to 2009, results showed an increased prevalence of “current use of cigarettes” and “other tobacco products” in females (31 and 98%). Additionally, students reported high exposure to second-hand smoking at home (56.6 to 46.6%) and in public places (67.8 to 53.3%). Less than half of all respondents were taught about the dangers of smoking in school.

Conclusion:

National smoking prevalence coincides with regional trends. The results of the GYTS provided the evidence-base towards developing comprehensive tobacco control legislation. Tobacco legislation was passed in 2013. Future GYTS will monitor legislation implementation and progress made in achieving WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) goals.

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