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International Journal of Public Health

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01-06-2013 | Original Article

Smoking behavior of Mexicans: patterns by birth-cohort, gender, and education

Authors: Rebekka Christopoulou, Dean R. Lillard, Josè R. Balmori de la Miyar

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Little is known about historical smoking patterns in Mexico. Policy makers must rely on imprecise predictions of human or fiscal burdens from smoking-related diseases. In this paper we document intergenerational patterns of smoking, project them for future cohorts, and discuss those patterns in the context of Mexico’s impressive economic growth.

Methods

We use retrospectively collected information to generate life-course smoking prevalence rates of five birth-cohorts, by gender and education. With dynamic panel data methods, we regress smoking rates on indicators of economic development.

Results

Smoking is most prevalent among men and the highly educated. Smoking rates peaked in the 1980s and have since decreased, slowly on average, and fastest among the highly educated. Development significantly contributed to this decline; a 1 % increase in development is associated with an average decline in smoking prevalence of 0.02 and 0.07 percentage points for women and men, respectively.

Conclusion

Mexico’s development may have triggered forces that decrease smoking, such as the spread of health information. Although smoking rates are falling, projections suggest that they will be persistently high for several future generations.

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Title: Smoking behavior of Mexicans: patterns by birth-cohort, gender, and education
Authors: Rebekka Christopoulou
Dean R. Lillard
Josè R. Balmori de la Miyar
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0376-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Smoking behavior of Mexicans: patterns by birth-cohort, gender, and education

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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