Background:
Mexico joined the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005 and introduced the general law of tobacco control in 2008. Monitoring tobacco consumption, addressing sex and age in relation to social context, is important to plan tobacco control strategies. This study was aimed at assessing social determinants of smoking in Mexico using data from GATS 2009 and 2015.

Methods:
Data from GATS Mexico 2009 and 2015 was used to perform a secondary analysis. Weighted descriptive statistics and stratified multivariate logistic regression models were executed.

Results:
13,617 people in 2009 and 14,664 in 2015 were interviewed. Prevalence of current smoking was higher among men than in women (24.8% vs 7.8% in 2009 and 25.2% vs 8.2% in 2015). In 2015, women living in urban areas were more likely to be current smokers (OR: 3.1; CI: 1.5,6.8 in young and OR: 4.9; CI: 3.3,7.2 in adult women). In young women, higher odds of being current smoker were found in those exposed to secondhand smoke at home (OR: 3.5; CI: 1.9,6.4). Adult women with high socioeconomic status were more likely to be current smokers (OR: 2.5; CI: 1.2,5.0). Among young men, likelihood of being a current smoker increased with age (OR: 5.5; CI: 3.1,9.9 for 21-24 group, reference group 15-17) and in those exposed to second hand smoke at home (OR: 1.6; CI: 1.0,2.6). In adult men, likelihood of being a current smoker decreased with age (OR: 0.3, CI: 0.2,0.5 age ≥65 reference group 25-34) and in those with high education level (OR: 0.5; CI: 0.3,0.8) while living in urban areas increases the likelihood (OR: 1.6; CI: 1.3,1.9). The results were similar for 2009.

Conclusions:
Being young and living in urban areas remain important determinants of tobacco use in Mexico. Other factors vary according to sex and age, and these should be considered for control policies.