The Hispanic/Latino Adult Tobacco Survey (H/L ATS) is designed to measure the tobacco-related
behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of Hispanic and Latino persons. While
the H/L ATS is based on the General Population State ATS and will generate comparable
results, it is uniquely suited for administration among Hispanic/Latino populations: the
questions asked and vocabulary used reflect the experience and language of Hispanic/Latino
persons. In addition, the Spanish translation was carefully developed to be understood by
Spanish-speakers from various countries of origin.
To facilitate comparisons, a symbol appears next to each H/L ATS module question to
indicate how that question compares with its counterpart on the General Population State
ATS: identical ( ), very similar but not identical ( ), or similar but not identical ( ).
The symbol for “very similar but not identical” may mean, for example, that the same
wording appears in both question versions but in a different order; whereas the symbol for
"similar but not identical" may mean the two versions differ in wording. New questions not
originally included on the General Population State ATS are indicated ( ).
This guide highlights what is unique to the H/L ATS, as opposed to the General Population
State ATS, and provides tips for meeting the unique challenges of conducting a population-based
sample survey among the Hispanic/Latino population.
For more information and background on the General Population State ATS, see Guidelines
for Conducting General Population State Adult Tobacco Surveys (Mariolis, in press).
This guide was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office
on Smoking and Health (OSH). For additional information, contact this office by e-mail at
tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov or by phone at 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Visit the OSH Online Publications Catalog to order OSH publications and materials.
The H/L ATS instruments and survey materials were approved by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for use by CDC in New York, Florida, and Texas. This approval does not
extend to other uses of the H/L ATS. Use in other locations, by CDC or any other
researcher, requires approval from pertinent authorities. It may be helpful when applying
for such approval to reference the approval provided by OMB to CDC.