Abstract

HERNANDEZ-AVILA, Juan Eugenio; TIRADO-RAMIREZ, Enrique; SANTOS-LUNA, René  and  REYNALES-SHIGEMATSU, Luz Myriam. Use of Geographical Information Systems for billboards and points-of-sale surveillance in two Mexico cities. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2007, vol.49, suppl.2, pp.s241-s246. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of compliance with current legislation using Geographic Information Systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Schools and billboards advertising tobacco were geo-referenced and the distance to schools were measured. Students’ access to purchasing tobacco products was observed. RESULTS: In Cuernavaca, billboards were found within 250 meter from schools and students had access to buying cigarettes. In Culiacan, students were less exposed to tobacco advertising. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic Information Systems were useful for studying compliance with the law and could also be useful for its continuous monitoring and for suggesting changes for diminishing tobacco advertising exposure. This exposure and the ease of access to purchasing cigarettes could explain the higher prevalence of active smokers among students in Cuernavaca. This suggests that current legislation is still not enough enforced for diminishing Mexican adolescents’ exposure to tobacco advertising and products.

Keywords : tobacco control; surveillance; geographical information system (GIS); Mexico.

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