Southeast Asia (SEA) 

The ITC project was expanded to Malysia and Thailand (combined as SouthEast Asia or SEA) to test if the tobacco control policies that have been effective in developed countries can be transferred to developing countries. Due to the relative differences in the implementation and enforcement of tobacco control policies in Malaysia and Thailand, we are currently studying the impact of tobacco control in combination with cultural and socioeconomic differences.

For more inforamtion, see the individual country listed below.

Funding:

The ITC Policy Evaluation Project and related studies have received funding support from:

• National Institute of Health (US, under ITC-TTURC) 
• Thai Health Organization (Thailand: Waves 1 and 2)
• Canadian Institutes for Health Research (Canada)
• Ministry of Health (Malaysia: Waves 1 and 3)

Main Objectives:

The objectives of the ITC Survey in Southeast Asia are:

1. To examine the prevalence and patterns of smoking behaviour among Thais and Malaysians.
   
   This study will provide among the best estimates of current smoking behaviour in Malaysia and Thailand.  It will also provide very detailed information about smokers' quitting behaviour, consumption patterns, and other important aspects of smoking behaviour.
   
   
2. To examine the impact of specific tobacco control policies that are implemented in Thailand and Malaysia during the next 5 years.
   
   The ITC survey has several sections that are intended to evaluate the impact of specific policies, such as health warning labels on cigarette packs, anti-smoking campaigns, and price/taxation increases.  As a result, the survey is able to examine to what extent policies change smoking behaviour and attitudes towards smoking.
   
   
3. To compare smoking behaviour and the impact of policies between Malaysia, Thailand and the other ITC countries.
   
   Because most of the questions are the same, we are able to compare patterns of smoking and impacts of policies in the populations of Malaysia and Thailand, with those of the other countries.
   
   
4. To measures the uptake of tobacco use among young people.
   
   The ITC survey in Southeast Asia is being conducted with youth respondents (aged 13-17) and will therefore be able to identify factors that affect the likelihood of smoking uptake among young people, with an emphasis on policies that may decrease or increase the likelihood of smoking.

Survey Locations:

In Thailand, a maximum of 3 respondents were selected from each household (one female adult smoker, one male adult smoker, and one youth respondent).  Respondents were drawn from:

Northern Region:

• Chiang Mai
• Phrae

Central Plain Region:

• Bangkok
• Samut Sakhon
• Nakhon Pathom

North-Eastern Region:

• Nong Khai
• Nakhon Ratchasima

Southern Region:

• Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Songkhla

In Malaysia, a maximum of 4 respondents were selected from each household (one female adult smoker, one male adult smoker, one adult non-smoker, and one youth respondent).  Respondents were drawn from six states in Malaysia, one state per zone:

• Kedah
• Selangor
• Johore
• Terengganu
• Sabah
• Sarawak

Method of Survey:

Sample Size per Wave:

In Thailand: 2000 adult smokers and 1000 youth
In Malaysia: 2000 adult smokers, 1500 adult non-smokers and 1000 youth

Publications:

ITC-SEA Wave 1 Technical Report

ITC-SEA Wave 2 Technical Report

ITC-SEA Wave 3 Technical Report

Click here for the ITC Southeast Asia survey questionnaires.

Thailand Wave 1 Adult Executive Summary

Thailand Wave 2 Adult Executive Summary

Thailand Wave 1 Youth Executive Summary

Thailand Wave 2 Youth Executive Summary

+ ITC-Malaysia Project
+ ITC-Thailand Project