In late August 2026, HACC received a seed grant from the ImagineLaw to implement the Strengthening School and Community Action to Prevent Electronic Smoking Devices Use (SCAPE) project aims to reduce cigarette and e-cigarette use among youth, both in and out of school, in Siem Reap Province.
As part of the project, HACC conducted a baseline survey among school-aged youth in Siem Reap Province from 22 to 27 September 2026. This survey is a collaboration of HACC with the Department of School Health of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sports,
The baseline survey covered 10 selected schools in Siem Reap Province. The survey was conducted to establish baseline information on students’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, experiences, and practices related to cigarettes and e-cigarettes, as well as potential factors influencing tobacco and e-cigarette use among young people.
Prior to the fieldwork, the HACC team worked closely with relevant stakeholders to prepare for the data collection. Key preparations included finalizing the questionnaire, coordinating with education authorities and selected schools, developing the fieldwork schedule, organizing school visits, orienting data collectors, and reviewing procedures related to confidentiality, data quality, and consistent administration of the questionnaire.
Close coordination with the participating schools was an important part of the preparation process to ensure that the data collection could be conducted smoothly while minimizing disruption to regular school activities.
During the six-day fieldwork period, the data collection team visited the selected schools according to the agreed schedule and administered the questionnaire to participating students.
The team worked closely with teachers and school authorities to organize students, coordinate the survey sessions, and ensure that students were able to complete the questionnaire in an orderly and appropriate environment. The field team also followed established procedures to maintain confidentiality and data quality throughout the data collection process.
Across the 10 participating schools, a total of 372 students from Grades 7 to 12 participated in the baseline survey. Their participation provides valuable information on the current situation and experiences of school-aged youth regarding cigarette and e-cigarette use in Siem Reap Province.
The successful completion of the baseline data collection marks an important step in the implementation of the SCAPE project. The information collected will provide a baseline against which progress can be assessed during project implementation.
The findings will be analyzed to better understand the factors associated with cigarette and e-cigarette use among young people and will help inform the development of school- and community-based interventions, awareness activities, advocacy, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.
The data collection activity also strengthened collaboration among HACC, education authorities, schools, teachers, and other relevant stakeholders in addressing the emerging issue of e-cigarette use among young people in Siem Reap Province.
The SCAPE is supported by ImagineLaw, based in the Philippines, under its the RISE v. Tobacco initiative, which works to strengthen tobacco control in Asia and the Pacific through support to governments, civil society organizations, and communities.
