Development and design of the Ontario Tobacco Survey

General population health surveys often include small samples of smokers. Few longitudinal studies specific to smoking have been carried out. We discuss development of the Ontario Tobacco Survey (OTS) which combines a rolling longitudinal, and repeated cross-sectional components. The OTS began in July 2005 using random selection and data-collection by telephones. Every 6 months, new samples of smokers and non-smokers provide data on smoking behaviours and attitudes. Smokers enter a panel study and are followed for changes in smoking influences and behaviour. The design is proving to be cost effective in meeting sample requirements for multiple research objectives.