[Tobacco use among Mexicans and their descendants in the United States].
OBJECTIVE
To show the information obtained in U.S. surveys and studies on cigarette smoking or other tobacco use in Mexicans residing in the United States.


METHODS
Different information systems and surveys were used. Those used in the study herein presented include the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 1991-2001, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1999-2001, the National Health Interview Survey, 1978-2001, the Current Population Survey, 1998-1999, The National Health Vital Statistics, 1999, and the U.S. Census Bureau, 2001.


RESULTS
A decreased prevalence of cigarette smoking has been observed in the U.S. both in young persons and adults. A decreased prevalence among subjects reporting Mexican and Mexican-American (combined) ethnicity was also noted. Young adults and adults of Mexican or Mexican-American origin smoke cigarettes less frequently than non-Hispanic whites or American Indians. However, this lower rate among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans is due mainly to the lower use of cigarettes among Mexican-American and Mexican women (combined). Although these women have a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking than non-Hispanic white females, among Mexican-American and Mexican males (combined) cigarette smoking may be as common as in non-Hispanic white males. Moreover, those who identify themselves as Mexican-American have higher cigarette use than those who identify themselves as Mexicans. Finally, Mexican and Mexican-American women (combined) of a lower education level are more prone to smoking during pregnancy than females of the same group with a higher education level.


CONCLUSIONS
This report shows differences by age, sex, self-definition of ethnicity (Mexican or Mexican-American), and education level, regarding smoking among Mexicans or persons with a Mexican background living in the United States. It is crucial to understand the demographic changes and trends and patterns among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in the U.S. so as to design and implement smoking control programs that are efficient, culturally sensitive, and designed specifically for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.
Caraballo
Ralph S
RS
Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. rfc8@cdc.gov
Lee
Chung-Won
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
Consumo de tabaco entre los mexicanos y sus descendientes, en Estados Unidos de América.