Evaluation Activities for the End Commercial Tobacco Campaign 2022-2026

For 2026 ECTC observations, use iSURVEY/droidSURVEY!

Click here for instructions on Device set up

Overview

New for 2026!

Click here to watch our webinar on 2026 ECTC Data Collection Resources and Expectations!

Click here to watch a 2024 recorded webinar about ECTC Wave 2 Data Collection Resources and Expectations.

The materials on this webpage are intended for Local Lead Agencies (LLA) and their data collectors. Click here to watch a 2022 recorded webinar about these resources and how to navigate the webpage.

Are you receiving TCEC's emails? We send out frequent updates during ECTC data collection (March-June) to ensure you have the resources you need. If you haven't received any communications from us, please contact us or sign up for our mailing list (be sure to check the box for "ECTC Communications") ASAP!

General FAQs

What are some safety tips for data collectors?
Safety always comes first. CTCP created this safety tip sheet for all data collectors working on this project. If you are approached, there are potential scripts and sample letters you can use to help explain what you're doing. Ask your LLA for the letter(s) you can use.
Script for introducing yourself during a retail observation
Script for introducing yourself during a park or sidewalk observation
Script for introducing yourself during an MUH observation
Are these observation instruments required or can projects use their own instruments for the observations (or modify your instruments)?
These are the only instruments that can be used for required observations listed in the LLA's End Commercial Tobacco Campaign objectives. These four observation surveys are administered through an account managed by TCEC, so there is no way to modify the instruments.

If you have observation activities for other objectives, you can use different tools tailored for your purpose and community. If you are interested in using these protocols for competitive grantees or other objectives, please contact [email protected].
What is TPW?
TPW is short for tobacco product waste. During a park, sidewalk, or MUH observation, you will be asked to count the number of pieces of TPW. Go to the guidelines page of each survey to see examples and instructions.
What if you are asked to leave before finishing the survey?
Politely leave. Then on the survey device, select the back button as many times until you get to question 5. Then select why you couldn't finish the survey. Select “Next” and you'll skip to the end where you can enter any optional comments. On the field notes form, be sure to write what happened and share that with your Lead Contact during debrief.
How will we know what stores, MUH, parks, or sidewalks to observe?
The number of observations (sample size) for each jurisdiction is determined by the LLA's workplan. The LLA Lead Contact will provide a list of places to observe and the order in which they should be observed. Ideally, the route is easy to follow and goes in a logical order (not zigzagging around town). Visit every location on your list and do your best to complete your observation at every location. If the location is closed, unsafe, or not found, you can write that on the field notes form and be sure to share that with your Lead Contact during debrief.
Do we need to go in the same order that locations are listed in the spreadsheet or may we go out of order?
The LLA should create lists of locations based on an efficient route. This may mean clustering locations that are not in the same order that was provided by CTPP. So yes, we recommend reordering the locations to make efficient driving routes to get from place to place. Here are resources on creating a route list and field notes form.

However, it is recommended that the data collector go to the locations in the order they are listed. This is to help with piecing together potential missing information during data cleaning.
Do you have tips for training or monitoring data collectors?
Yes! Share this webpage with them, especially the link to the recorded videos. Make sure they know which survey to study and allow plenty of opportunities to practice and become comfortable with the protocols.

Take a look at the section on Training Data Collectors in the California Tobacco Control Evaluation Guide.

Contact us if you're interested in having one of our evaluation associates assist with your local data collector trainings.
What do I enter for Coder ID?
Your LLA will assign you a 2-digit coder ID. In general, coder IDs 11-50 are for data collectors under 21 and coder IDs 51-90 are for adult data collectors. If you are doing a test survey, you can use 99 until you receive your assigned coder ID.
What do I enter for question 1 when I'm doing a practice run?
Use 999999 for stores and parks (6-digits), and use 9999999 for MUH (7-digits). Use of other IDs can cause errors for other counties, so please use all 9s for test records.
Who can I call for help?
If you need additional help in the field, please call your locally designated Lead Contact. If necessary, the Lead Contact may then contact The Tobacco Control Evaluation Center (TCEC) at UC Davis, which is available for technical assistance in the field by phone at the TCEC helpline at 530-754-8317 or by e-mail ([email protected]). If the Lead Contact anticipates needing help outside of normal business hours, schedule an appointment with TCEC at least one week in advance.

Click here for more information about Roles and Responsibility and where you can find help.

How were these developed?

I'm so glad you asked! These data collection instruments and protocols were a collaboration between CTPP and its funded projects. We'd especially like to recognized the following advisory group members: Adrianna Rojas, Ashley Stegall, Caitlin Giddings, Candice Donaldson, Catherine Dizon, Cheryl Edora, Christy Lopez, Daisy Lopez, David Stupplebeen, Elizabeth Andersen-Rodgers, Jay Macedo, Jen Swanstrom, Jorge Andrews, Kim Homer Vagadori, Maria Duran, Megan Yee, Monica Wilkinson, Nykeia Harris, Omara Farooq, Prasha Bhandari, Rachel Gratz-Lazarus, Rafael Colonna, Sarina Benavidez, Stergios Roussos, Sue Haun, Tam Vuong, Tamiko Johnson, Tracey Andrews, Trent Johnson, Veronica De Lira, and Xueying Zhang

Device FAQs

How do I set up my device?
Instructions for Device set up
What is my Device User Name and Password?
For ECTC, your Device User Name should be your LLA Name + Your 2-digit Coder ID. For example, if your LLA is Yolo and your Coder ID is 51, your Device User Name is Yolo51.

Please do not use any personal identifying information for your Device User Name (such as "Sarah's iPhone")!

All devices used to collect ECTC data will use the same password = 838367.
Can I use the same Device User Name on multiple devices?
Yes.
How do I upload the data we collected?
The iSURVEY/droidSURVEY app has an, "Upload Results" button that will upload all responses collected on the device.
First, make sure the device is connected to Wi-Fi. If your iSURVEY/droidSURVEY screen shows a, "Start," button, touch and hold it until it goes to the Administration screen. Then, select the button that says, "Upload # Results." A pop up box will say how many results were successfully uploaded. Select, "OK." The Upload Results button should now be greyed out, because there are no more results to upload.

If your iSURVEY/droidSURVEY screen shows a pop up that says, "Resume survey," select, "SAVE AND EXIT." This will take you to the Administration screen. Then, select the button that says, "Upload # Results." A pop up box will say how many results were successfully uploaded. Select, "OK." The Upload Results button should now be greyed out, because there are no more results to upload.
How will I know the data got uploaded?
Contact your TCEC Lead Contact to confirm the correct number of surveys were uploaded into the TCEC main account. If our numbers aren't accurate, we will work with your LLA Lead Contact to make any corrections and decide on next steps.
I think I'm in the wrong survey, how do I switch to the survey I need?
If your iSURVEY/droidSURVEY screen shows a Start button, touch and hold it until it goes to the Administration screen. Then, select the button that says, "Select Survey." Select the correct survey from the list. In the next screen, select, "Run Current Survey."

If your iSURVEY/droidSURVEY screen shows a pop up that says, "Resume survey," select, "SAVE AND EXIT." This will take you to the Administration screen. Then, select the button that says, "Select Survey." Select the correct survey from the list. In the next screen, select, "Run Current Survey."
What devices do I use?
Some LLAs have program-owned devices that can be used. Others prefer to have their data collectors use their personal devices. If your project is in need of additional devices to supplement your supply of devices, please complete and return the Loan Agreement Form for Handheld Devices Form. TCEC will fill orders on a first come, first served basis. Lending may be limited to 5 devices at a time for 4 weeks during peek times such as ECTC.
The survey app isn't working. Or the device isn't working. What do I do?
Start by closing and opening the app. Then try turning off the device and turning it back on again.

If these steps don't work, make sure the device operating system is up to date. Go to the device's settings to see if your operating system has an update available. The most up to date versions are iOS17 for Apple devices and Android14 for for Android devices. Also make sure the app is up to date. The current versions are 5.6.2 for Apple devices and 10.6.1 and for Android devices.

If you already have data collected with the device, you won't lose data by updating the app before syncing. As long as the app remains on the device, the data collected will still be stored. In other words, do NOT uninstall the app.

If that still doesn't work, contact [email protected]. You may want to have a back up device available so that you can proceed with data collection on a different device.
What happens if app is closed or the device is turned off?
If the app is moved to the background because the device goes to sleep, another app pops up, e.g. text message, or the home button is pressed, you should be able to return to the part of the survey where you left off. Once the app is opened again, select, "Yes," to resume where you left off.

Note: While the app makes it possible to begin data collection, pause, and come back it is strongly recommended to finish surveying the store on the same visit to ensure accurate and consistent data. Please avoid closing the app in the middle of the survey if possible, to avoid potentially losing the data or entering information in the survey for the incorrect location.
Is the survey is only in iSURVEY/droidSURVEY? We primarily use a different survey program.
You won't need your own survey program for these surveys, because they are only available in the TCEC main account. Data collectors access the survey by connecting their devices through one of the following apps:

iSURVEY for Apple devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/isurvey-offline-survey-forms/id341427957
droidSURVEY for Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.contact.droidSURVEY

All devices used to collect ECTC data will use the same password = 838367. ECTC data can be collected even if there is no Internet connection. The data stored on your devices are uploaded to the TCEC main account. TCEC works with each LLA lead contact to confirm that the correct number of records has been uploaded to the main database.
How do I set our LLA's survey account?
For these observation surveys, you do not need your own survey account for ECTC. TCEC manages the statewide account that is being used for ECTC observations.
When it comes time to take a picture of TPW, the survey kicks me out. What do I do?
There are two ways to handle this. First, is you do not need to take a picture. Taking pictures is optional.

If your team wants to take pictures, you can go directly to your device's camera app to take the picture. Then go back to the survey app and instead of taking a picture, select the option to upload the picture you've just taken with the camera app. Then, the survey should proceed as expected.
What do I do if I select the wrong survey?
If you've realized that questions for a different survey are showing on the app, close the app or go to the home screen. When you go back to the app, it will ask if you want to resume the survey. Select, "No," to be brought to the Administration page. Then go to, "Select Survey," to view the menu of the 4 ECTC surveys. Select the survey for the observation your team is assigned. Then on the next page, select, "Run Current Survey."
Who can I call for help?
If you need additional help in the field, please call your locally designated Lead Contact. If necessary, the Lead Contact may then contact The Tobacco Control Evaluation Center (TCEC) at UC Davis, which is available for technical assistance in the field by phone at the TCEC helpline at 530-754-8317 or by e-mail ([email protected]). If the Lead Contact anticipates needing help outside of normal business hours, schedule an appointment with TCEC at least one week in advance.

Click here for more information about Roles and Responsibility and where you can find help.