[Women and tobacco: gender-related characteristics]

Abstract

The percentage of women smokers is still on the rise in Spain. If the current smoking patterns among women continue, the number of deaths will continue rising sharply over the next hundred years. There may be more female smokers than male smokers in the adult population in Spain in the near future. This review provides an update of current knowledge as to the impact cigarette smoking has on women's health, the current patterns of use among them, the special factors which have a baring on their smoking and the difficulties they have when they are considering the possibility of or trying to quit smoking. We also suggest ways in which a minimum degree of counseling, behavior therapy and nicotine substitute can be incorporated as treatment strategies suited to the special needs of women smokers.