Counts and percentages collected through the BRFSS survey are weighted to represent the adult population of Virginia. Weighting adjusts for demographic differences between persons who answer the survey questions and the population that they represent. Survey responses of \u201cdon\u2019t know\/not sure,\u201d refusal to answer, or missing answers are not included in the data. This dashboard is updated annually for the previous calendar year.<\/p>\n
Data Note<\/strong><\/p>\n Counts and percentages with a sample size of less than fifty (50) should be interpreted with caution. Sample sizes of less than fifty (50) are considered unstable. The instability is represented in the difference between the Upper Confidence Level (CL) and Lower Confidence Level (CL). Data exist for years 2017-2022 for most variables.<\/p>\n Demographics Tab Data Interpretation Note<\/strong><\/p>\n Percentages displayed represent the rate in which individuals of that specific demographic group consume tobacco or nicotine by the selected \u201cUse Type.\u201d<\/p>\n Example: Year = 2021, Use Type = Current Smoker, Translation = 13.42% of males and 11.50% of females identified as current smokers in 2021.<\/p>\n Key Terms<\/strong><\/p>\n Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)<\/a><\/span>: The nation\u2019s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. Established in 1984 with 15 states, BRFSS now collects data in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year, making it the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world. In Virginia, this is known as the Virginia Adult Health Survey (VAHS).<\/p>\n Adult Tobacco Survey <\/u>(ATS)<\/u>: Subset of questions within BRFSS specific to tobacco and nicotine use that are asked only every odd year, with 2019 being the first year these questions were administered.<\/p>\n Use Type<\/u>: Describes how nicotine is being consumed.<\/p>\n Current Smoker\/Cigarette<\/u>: An adult over the age of 18 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and who currently smokes on at least some days. This indicator is used to define prevalence of individuals who smoke only cigarettes. Available 2017-2022.<\/p>\n Current E-Cigarette User<\/u>: Responses of \u2018every day\u2019 or \u2018some days\u2019 to the question \u201cDo you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products every day, some days, or not at all?\u201d Available 2017-2022.<\/p>\n Smokeless Tobacco User<\/u>: Responses of \u2018every day\u2019 or \u2018some days\u2019 to the question \u201cDo you currently use chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus every day, some days, or not at all?\u201d Available 2017-2022<\/p>\n Ever Used an E-Cigarette<\/u>: Response of \u2018yes\u2019 to the question \u201cHave you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic vaping product, even just one time, in your entire life?\u201d Available 2017-2021. Question not asked on BRFSS in 2022.<\/p>\n Nicotine User<\/u>: Combines responses that meet the definitions for \u201cCurrent Smoker,\u201d \u201cCurrent E-cigarette User,\u201d \u201cCurrent Smokeless User\u201d as well as \u201cOther Tobacco Products User\u201d into one calculated variable. This variable is only available for odd years beginning in 2019 as it utilizes responses from the Adult Tobacco Survey. Available for 2019 and 2021.<\/p>\n Other Tobacco Products<\/u>: Include cigars, cigarillos (very small cigars that look like cigarettes), hookah, and\/or water pipe. Used as a component of the \u201cNicotine User\u201d variable.<\/p>\n Count<\/u>: Calculated based upon the final weight in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data. The final weight in BRFSS accounts for the differences in being selected to participate in the survey, the differences in individuals who choose not to respond to the survey, as well as any gaps in the sampling frame.\u00a0Counts and\u00a0percentages included here are\u00a0weighted\u00a0to represent the population for individual states.<\/p>\n Percent\/Percentages<\/u>: Calculated based upon the final weight in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data. The final weight in the BRFSS accounts for the unequal probability of selection, differential non-response, and possible deficiencies in the sampling frame.\u00a0Counts and percentages included here are\u00a0weighted\u00a0to represent the population for individual states.<\/p>\n Confidence Level (CL)<\/u>: The range of certainty a particular measure or variable would record the same percentage or count if the experiment were performed again. Lower Confidence Level is the low-end predicted outcome of a given measure\/variable. Upper Confidence Level is the high-end predicted outcome of a given measure\/variable.<\/p>\n Sample Size<\/u>: Number of people from a given demographic who participated in the BRFSS question(s) used to calculate the measure\/variable.<\/p>\n Health District<\/u>: Thirty-five (35) predefined geographic areas within Virginia by the Virginia Department of Health made up of one or more independent cities and counties. For more information regarding Virginia\u2019s health districts, visit this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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