[Tobacco use in Mexico City].
The results of a population based study carried out in a low income area of Mexico City are presented in this paper. The study was designed to investigate tobacco consumption as a cardiovascular risk factor in the population ages range of 35-64 years. A home interview was accomplished for 2,155 individuals. Monthly family income, employment status, years of schooling and tobacco consumption were investigated. The majority of the participants reported a monthly family income of 500 to one hundred new pesos and the average of school years was 5.8 +/- 3.2 years. In most cases (93.8%), participants reported to have a paid job and only 2.09 per cent were unemployed. A total of 74.2 of men and 24.5 per cent of women reported that they had smoked at least 50 cigarettes in their lifespan and 52.5 per cent of men and 17.9 of women were current smokers. Most smokers (62.9% men, 74.5% women) consume 10 or less cigarettes per day, but 33.2 per cent of men and 24.2 of women were heavy smokers, that is 10-29 cigarettes per day. Only eleven men and seven women smoked cigars or pipe. This results show a high rate of tobacco consumption in this population, therefore it is imperative to strengthen education programs aimed at promoting healthier habits and to stop tobacco consumption.