The purpose of the CETS is to better understand what kinds of methods and programs educators believe are necessary for reducing student use of cigarettes, vapes (JUUL, Suorin, etc.), smokeless tobacco, and marijuana.

The survey is conducted as part of a contract between the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and its funding agencies, including the California Department of Education (CDE). In combination with student data from the CSTS, the CETS provides a valuable point of comparison between statewide data on student prevalence rates and educator perspectives and opinions.

The survey is conducted by the California School Tobacco Project team at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The California Educator Tobacco Survey is funded by the California Department of Education (CDE), Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP), and California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP).

We ask that only school staff whose role includes regular interaction with students take this survey. Typically, this means certificated staff such as teachers, counselors, and administrators.

(Note: the survey is not currently designed for TUPE staff at the district or county level).

The survey covers topics such as tobacco prevention and cessation programs at the school level, culture of tobacco use in schools, knowledge and attitudes about emerging tobacco products (like cigarillos, vapes, and hookah) and marijuana, as well as opinions about the role schools can and should play in tobacco-use cessation and prevention.

The latest administration of the California Educator Tobacco Survey will occur during the 2019-2020 school year.

The CETS has been administered since 2016. This is the third time that UCSD has been contracted to administer the survey. The first and second surveys were completed in 2016 and 2018–19. The third administration will occur during the 2019–2020 school year in conjunction with the administration of the student tobacco survey (CSTS).

The survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. We appreciate your taking the time to share your insights.

If your school has completed the 2019-2020 student tobacco survey (CSTS), you will receive an email with an invitation to participate in the educator survey. Click on the link provided within the email and answer the 15-20 minute survey. Submit once complete.

Yes, the information you give us during the survey will be kept confidential as provided by law.

You may skip any question you prefer not to answer. If you give us your name, your name and the name of your school will be stored separately from your answers to the survey questions, although if there were a data breach, the confidentiality of your information could be compromised.

We will keep all information related to the study for 10 years in locked cabinets and secure computer files. A number will be assigned to your survey at the start of the project and this number will be used instead of your name for record keeping and data analysis.  A number will also be assigned instead of the name of your school.

You may see the full consent form (link provided in the survey) for more information.

Yes. This project is approved by both the University of California, San Diego’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the California state IRB (Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects).

Have a comment or another question not answered here? Our team is happy to help – send us an email at CETS@health.ucsd.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!