GATS is a nationally representative household survey of adults 15 years of age or older that is intended to enhance the capacity of countries to design, implement and evaluate tobacco control interventions such as the WHO MPOWER, a package of six evidence-based demand reduction measures contained in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

As a global standard for systematic monitoring of adult tobacco use, it tracks key tobacco control indicators and uses a standard core questionnaire, sample design, and data collection and management procedures.  All the standardize components and procedures were reviewed and approved by international experts. GATS is designed to produce national and sub-national estimates among adults across countries and should be applied by countries every 5 years.