Madrid, España
El tabaco es la principal causa de Morbilidad y mortalidad prevenible, por lo que es fundamental la educación para la Salud.
Es importante conocer los Tóxicos del tabaco y sus efectos de adicción (Nicotina, alquitranes, etc.).
En la adolescencia se desarrolla el hábito de fumar.
La encuesta que hemos realizado en 3.000 adolescentes y primer curso de Universidad, un 32% fuman (35% en las enseñanzas medias 23% en los universitarios). La edad de comienzo es a los 14 años 10% a los 16 el 20% y a los 18 el 35%. Las chicas fuman más que los chicos, 43 y 27 %. El número de cigarrillos es de 1 a 5 en el 20% de 10 a 15 el 41%; 10 c/d el resto de fumadores.
El ambiente que les rodea es importante en la determinación de estos hábitos: en el 46% el padre, 27% la madre, 48% maestros, 30% hermanos, amigos 80% fuman.
Es importante el impacto de los amigos e incluso la madre. Se destaca la importancia del riesgo para el fumador pasivo.
Se cifra en -1,2 la elasticidad en el precio del Tabaco. Se destaca la importancia de la publicidad en anuncios, motivadores para los jóvenes.
La prohibición de la venta a los menores, y que aprendan actitudes en contra del Tabaco.
In many countries, tobacco is the most important preventable cause of morbidity and preventable mortality and, as a consequence, it should be emphasizein health education programmes.
The harmful components of tobacco smoke are nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and smoke particles.
Early adolescence is a particularly important age-period for smoking, since most smoker adults began to smoke as adolescents. The high school age-period appears to be the most intensive period of experimentation in life.
We carried out a healthy lífestyles study on 3,000 high school and first year university students in Madrid. In the whole sample, 32% of students smoked (35% among high-schoolers and 23% among university freshmen; 43% among females and 27% among males). The mean age of starting tobacco consumption is 14 and below for 10% of sample; 15-16 for 20%; and over 16 for the rest of the students surveyed. Among smokers, 20% smoke 1-5 cigarettes/ day, 38% smoke 6-10 cigarettes/ day, and the rest of students smoke more that 10 cigarettes/day.
Smoking rates in the social environment of the students are 46% among fathers, 27% among mothers, 48% among teachers, 30% among siblings, and 80% among friends.
Parental and peer attitudes towards smoking and tobacco availability, and cigarette advertising, have been associated with smoking. In addition passive smoking produces harmful effects on children and adults.
Proposed preventive measures are a progressive increase in tobacco taxes, prominent health warnings on cigarette packs and advertisements, and banning of the promotion and publicity of the glamorous image of smoking. Besides it, prohibition of sale of tobacco to children, regulation of smoke-free environments, and training in tobacco-cessation skills for health professionals.