Mexico - results of GATS released..

June 7, 2010 - On May 31, 2010, Mexico released results from its Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Many countries conduct surveys to monitor adult tobacco use, but until recently, no one standard global survey for adults consistently tracked tobacco use, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, and tobacco control measures.

Highlights from the GATS Mexico survey are as follows:
* 15.9 percent (10.9 million adults) currently smoke; 24.8 percent of men smoke, while 7.8 percent of women smoke
* 72.1 percent of current smokers are interested in quitting smoking
* 19.7 percent (3.8 million adult workers) were exposed to tobacco smoke in enclosed areas at their workplaces in the past month; 17.3 percent of Mexicans were exposed to smoke at home in the past month
* 50.6 percent adults noticed advertisements for cigarettes
* 84.5 percent of the smokers noticed health warnings on cigarette packages and 32.7 percent of current smokers thought about quitting because of warning labels.

More information: GATS: Fact Sheets: Mexico

Thirteen countries besides Mexico participated in the first round of GATS: Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Philippines, Poland, Russian Federation, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam. Results from GATS will assist Mexico and the other participating countries that will soon be releasing results. Results will enable countries to translate data into action through improved policies and programs.

Funding for GATS is provided by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use..

Reference: Media Statement: Statement Regarding Release of Global Adult Tobacco Survey Results by Mexico, CDC Online Newsroom, 5/31/2010.