Tobacco law and tobacco consumption among Chilean scholars

Introduction: Chile has the highest tobacco consumption prevalence in scholars in America. In 2006 the antitobacco law was modified in order to lower smoking prevalence in the population through the restrictions on tobacco publicity, creation of tobacco free spaces and selling regulations. Since 2001 the National Council on Drugs Control (CONACE) has conducted substance consumption habits surveys in scholar population biannually.
Objective: to describe the evolution of tobacco use and risk perception in Chilean scholars and its relationship with the modification of the antitobacco law from 2001 to 2007.
Methods: A self administered questionare was used in the CONACE’s studies in scholars from 8^th to 12^th grade form 2001 to 2007. A total of 229,237 children -national representative sample- were included in the four studies considered for this investigation. Tobacco use prevalence and risk perception percentage was computed. Changes in last year and last month consumption prevalence were assessed in relation with antitobacco law modification.
Results: From 2001 to 2005 last month tobacco use prevalence remain stable (42.3%). In 2007 there was a significant diminution in the tobacco consumption prevalence in women and men (35.4%) associated with an increase in risk perception (from 59% to 69%).
Conclusions: These results suggest that the antitobacco law modification through the newly adopted measures in our country may explain the important change in tobacco use risk perception and diminution on smoking prevalence among Chilean scholars. Further studies are needed to assess the long term effect.