Saint Lucians, particularly youth and public health officials, are expected to benefit significantly from the upcoming administration of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), as the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs intensifies preparations through a targeted training initiative.

Facilitated by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS), a one-day seminar was recently conducted to equip field officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out the survey across secondary schools on the island.

This year marks the fifth national round of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Saint Lucia, with the last survey conducted in 2017 among the same target group. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative aimed at systematically monitoring tobacco use among in-school youth aged 13 to 15 years. The survey adheres to an internationally standardized methodology, enabling Saint Lucia to contribute to and benefit from globally comparable data on youth tobacco exposure and prevention. Speaking on the critical importance of training field officers to ensure reliable and effective data collection is Program Officer at the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS), Caleb Paul.

“The training of our field workers is a critical component of this initiative. It is through this engagement that we ensure field officers are competent in administering the survey and accurately collecting the required data from students in various secondary schools here in Saint Lucia,” added Paul.

According to Caleb Paul the training activities were intentionally designed to be participatory and practical, providing field officers with real-world exposure to the tools and procedures required.

“With the participants, you would actually walk through the process, going through all the instruments they’ll be using before heading out to the schools to implement that survey,” explained SAACS Program Officer, Caleb Paul.

The Ministry of Education is playing a key collaborative role to ensure the smooth rollout of the survey within schools. Acting Curriculum Officer for Health and Family Life Education at the Curriculum and Materials Development Unit (CAMDU), Valerie Fletcher, emphasized the importance of institutional support and preparation of students. “The Ministry of Education would engage school principals and key education officials to ensure students are prepared for the survey, “It is very important because it helps build the kind of evidence base that’s necessary for planning and preparing for policy making,” she noted.

One of the field officers, Health Educator Fauhn Minvielle of the Bureau of Health Education, described the session as both informative and dynamic. “It has been very engaging. There were a lot of interactive moments where we could ask questions, seek clarification, and discuss scenarios. So, it has been very good in preparing us for what’s to come,” shared Fauhn Minvielle.

Tobacco use remains a pressing public health concern, particularly when initiated in adolescence. By gathering local, evidence-based data, this 2025 GYTS initiative aims to support the development of more targeted interventions, effective prevention strategies, and informed policy making ultimately contributing to a healthier, tobacco free generation in Saint Lucia.