This paper examines the evolution of the scientific literature over the past thirty years (1966-1996) about smoking studies conducted in Spain and determines where the trend is leading. We utilized local (Indice Medico Espanol) and international databases (MedLine, PsycLit) to find papers related to the treatment of smoking in Spain from 1966 to 1996, including such approaches as medical advice, pharmacological, psychological, community, and combined approaches. The total number of articles about studies related to tobacco contained in the three databases in the 1966-1996 period was 1,026. The largest number of articles, a total of 455 (44.3%), was published between 1991 and 1996. Specifically, of the 125 articles about smoking cessation treatments, empirical studies constitute 48.8% (n = 61) of all the articles published. The results of the studies and the increasing number of publications indicate that in the present decade there has been intense interest from both health professionals and the Health Administration in promoting formal smoking treatment programs. Nevertheless, too few empirical studies about smoking cessation methods have been undertaken to date. It is still necessary to perform more studies with nicotine replacement therapy, behavior therapy, and combined therapy, as well as controlled studies of treating specific smoking populations, and community approaches.
