[Variability in cigarette consumption according to the data source in Spain (1993-2009)].

OBJECTIVES To assess the variability in the number of cigarettes smoked per person per day in Spain according to the information source (health surveys versus legal sales). METHODS We compared cigarette consumption per person per day (population aged ≥16 years) obtained from the national health surveys in Spain and the official data on legal tobacco sales between 1993 and 2009. RESULTS Cigarette consumption per person per day decreased between 1993 and 2009. Over the entire period, the number of cigarettes smoked per person per day according to legal sales exceeded that reported by national health surveys (up to 46.9%). CONCLUSION The difference in data on the number of cigarettes smoked between national health surveys and legal sales has increased in the last few years in Spain.