[Tobacco and advertising. Systematic review of the articles published between 2000 and 2008].

Objective: To evaluate the influence of tobacco advertising on consumer habits.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: PubMed, Ovid, Scielo, Mediclatina, Elsevier-Doyma, Isooc (CSIC) (January 2000-September 2008)

Methods: A total of 44 national and international articles, linking the consumption of tobacco with any promotional or advertising practice. Articles not focused on the impact of advertising and promotion of cigarettes and research on prevention, intervention, plans and laws were removed.

Results: Advertising influences tobacco consumption. Publicity leads to starting smoking (5 articles) and maintaining the habit (3 articles). It uses the relationship between advertising and smoker's image and concept (5 articles) and different advertising strategies (22 articles).

Conclusions: The advertising developed by the tobacco industry uses different strategies of influence on the consumption of cigarettes in the population.