[Main challenges of the framework convention on tobacco control in Mexico: a surveillance report from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey].
OBJECTIVE
This study presents findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) regarding current cigarette smoking and other tobacco epidemic indicators.


METHODS
The GYTS used a two-stage cluster sample survey to generate representative samples of students aged 12 to 15 years old enrolled in public, private and technical schools. The survey was undertaken at 492 schools in 21 cities. The GYTS surveyed 42,024 students between the years 2003 and 2005. A logistic regression model was applied and crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated.


RESULTS
The overall current smoking rate during the 30 days preceding the survey was 19.96% (95% CI 18.1-21.8). Among those who never smoked, 25% were likely to begin smoking in the following year. Sixty percent of current smokers who bought their cigarettes in stores were not refused purchase because of their age. Exposure to advertising in outside areas was 86 and 54% of students reported to have been exposed to smoke in public places.


CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive tobacco control programs should prevent access by minors to cigarettes, make it more difficult to smoke, and prohibit all forms of tobacco advertising. In addition, options should be provided for those who wish to quit smoking and adolescents and their families should be educated with respect to the dangers of smoking.
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. rvaldes@jhsph.ed
Raydel
R
Valdés-Salgado
James
J
Thrasher
Luisa María
LM
Sánchez-Zamorano
Eduardo
E
Lazcano-Ponce
Luz Myriam
LM
Reynales-Shigematsu
Fernando
F
Meneses-González
Mauricio
M
Hernández-Avila
D000293:Adolescent; D000329:Advertising / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*