title: Changes in the Prevalence of Tobacco Consumption and the Profile of Spanish Smokers after a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Policy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A partial smoke-free regulation in Spain was introduced on January 1, 2006, which was subsequently amended to introduce a comprehensive smoke-free policy from 2 January 2011 onward. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of tobacco consumption in Spain and the profile of smokers before (2006) and after (2011) the comprehensive smoking ban passed in 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent, cross-sectional, population-based surveys were carried out among the adult (≥ 18 years old) Spanish population in 2006 and 2011 through telephone interviews. Both surveys used the same methods and questionnaire. Nicotine dependence was assessed with the Fagerström Test for nicotine dependence and readiness to quit according to the stages of change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of tobacco consumption showed a nonsignificant decrease from 23.4% in 2006 to 20.7% in 2011. No changes were observed in nicotine dependence or readiness to quit. In 2011, most smokers (76%) showed low nicotine dependence and were mainly in the precontemplation stage (72%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of smokers has slightly decreased since the introduction of the total smoking ban in Spain. No differences were found in nicotine dependence or readiness to quit.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, Galician Directorate for Public Health, Galician Health Authority, Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Granada, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez-Rios
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Programme, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Institutd'InvestigacióBiomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Esteve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Programme, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Institutd'InvestigacióBiomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schiaffino
authors.affiliation: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nebot
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Granada, Spain; Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult