[Tobacco, equity and primary health care].
BACKGROUND
Antitobacco campaigns in industrialized countries (USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Australia) have been less effective FOR low social classes, except for Australia. In order to attain further reductions of tobacco consumption, these countries have to pay attention to tobacco use amongst people of low socioeconomic status. This paper seeks to analyze the causes of it to summarize relevant lessons for our own country.


METHODS
Literature review in relation to tobacco consumption, social status, mediating variables between these two elements, and variety of possible interventions.


RESULTS
Low social classes bear higher tensions, more compelling economic, familiar, affective and social relations problems, with a lower capability to adapt, neutralize or change their situation; therefore making their emotional dependence on tobacco, stronger. Family physician's intervention and community participation appear as the recommended alternatives to mass-media public campaigns.


CONCLUSIONS
These two interventions should be fostered through the national Primary Health Care Network, as a complement to public campaigns, to guarantee in equity in reducing tobacco consumption and its consequences.
Segovia Pérez
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Gerencia de Atención Primaria, Segovia.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D013548:Sweden; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States
Tabaco, equidad y Atención Primaria.