[Household tobacco consumption in Mexico, 1994-2005].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze household tobacco consumption and expenditure in Mexico from 1994 to 2005.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The National Surveys on Household Income and Expenditures conducted in Mexico from 1994 to 2005 were used to estimate relevant statistics (proportions and means). Confidence intervals of the estimated parameters are presented.

RESULTS

Smoking household prevalence decreased from 11.2% (IC95%: 10.4-12.1) in 1994 to 7.8% (IC95%: 7.3-8.3) in 2005. This percentage was lowest in low-income households -4.2% (IC95%: 3.4-5.1)- and highest in high-income households -11.2% (IC95%: 10.0-12.4). On the contrary, expenditure on tobacco as a percentage of total household expenditures was highest in low-income households -5.5% (IC95%: 4.2-6.9)- and lowest in high-income households -2.5% (IC95%: 2.1-2.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Household smoking prevalence is lower than a decade before; however, expenditure on tobacco represents a high share of households total expenditures, particularly, among low-income smoker households. Consequently, tobacco is a burden for low-income smoker households where resources to buy essential goods and services are scarce.