[Epidemiologic overview of smoking in Mexico].

Smoking is one of the main preventable causes of disease and death worldwide; 3.5 million smokers die annually. This essay shows the progress made against this epidemic in our country and points out the relevance of implementing a comprehensive program to control smoking. Results from three national surveys conducted in Mexico in 1988, 1993, and 1998 are analyzed and compared. On the one hand, the strategies should include preventive actions, protection of non-smokers, smoking cessation, banning of smoking advertisement, and tax increases; on the other hand, controlling smoking and its consequences on health depend on all of us.