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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 2025119Prevalence of Tobacco Use And Exposure To Secondhand Smoke In Timor-Leste: National Survey 2023.Afonso de Almeida, Jo%u00e3o S. Martins1, Hendriketa da Silva and L%u00eddia GomesFaculdade de Medicina e Ci%u00eancias de Sa%u00fade, Universidade Nacional de Timor Lorosae, Timor-LesteAbstractThe National Integrated Survey on Tobacco Use and Risk Factors for NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), conducted in Timor-Leste between October and December 2023, revealed high levels of tobacco use among adults aged 18 to 69 years. The nationally representative sample included 3,517 surveyed households, with a total of 3,317 respondents, 40.3% of whom were male and 59.7% female. The majority of participants (63.7%) were aged between 18 and 44 years. The findings show that approximately 8 out of 10 men and 4 out of 10 women are current tobacco users, including both smoked and smokeless tobacco products. Specifically, about 7 out of 10 men are current smokers, compared to just 1 out of 10 women. Daily smoking is common among men (6 out of 10), while only a small proportion of women report smoking daily.The average age of smoking initiation is considerably lower among men, indicating an early start in tobacco use for males. Among current daily smokers, around 90% of both men and women smoke manufactured cigarettes. Regarding smokeless tobacco, usage is more prevalent among women: 3 out of 10 are current users, compared to 2 out of 10 men. However, daily use of smokeless tobacco is lower, with only 0.5 out of 10 men reporting daily use, and an even smaller percentage among women. Secondhand smoke exposure is alarmingly high: around 8 out of 10 men and women reported being exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes. At the workplace, 3 out of 10 men and 2 out of 10 women reported exposure to secondhand smoke. Although the use of electronic cigarettes remains low, some respondents reported use, signaling a trend that may require monitoring. In terms of the impact of health warnings on cigarette packaging, only 3 out of 10 male and female smokers said they considered quitting after seeing the warnings. This suggests the need for stronger and more effective public health messaging. In summary, tobacco use continues to pose a significant public health challenge in TimorLeste. The high prevalence among men, the early age of smoking initiation, and widespread exposure to secondhand smoke highlight the urgent need for more effective tobacco control measures. These should include stronger implementation of preventive policies, public education campaigns, and enhanced health service support for smoking cessation.Keywords: Tobacco usage, Timor-Leste, Risk-factors, smoking, public health.