[Smoking in a mining enterprise in Asturias: habits and knowledge]

Tobacco is the first avoidable cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed countries. A survey on the tobacco habit was carried out in a mining firm of 1420 workmen. The target was to quantify the severity of this problem, to carry out an information campaign and to provide help with nicotine chewing gam and psychological support. A 63% were usual smokers; a 20.1% were nonsmokers; and a 16.8% were former smokers. The group of smokers had a smaller knowledge on the risks of tobacco than the other two groups. Only a 1% of smokers went to the audio-visual information meetings in their respective localities and to the antismoking consulting of our hospital. An informative programme on "Tobacco and Health" was sent to all them.