This study compares the lung cancer mortality rates among males in the years 1975–1977 and 1987–1989 in Catalonia and Spain with other European countries selected for their geographical proximity. Adjusted calculations using the direct method have been made for male lung cancer mortality. Adjusted truncated rates for the age groups 0–44, 45–64 and more than 65 years were also calculated, as well as percent differences between the mortality rates of each period studied. Lung cancer mortality rates for males in Catalonia and Spain show relative increments of 46.58% and 52.41%, respectively. In contrast, lung cancer mortality in countries such as England-Wales and Switzerland have decreased. Moreover, the 0–44 year age group in Catalonia and Spain shows the absolute highest rates in the 1987–1989 period among all the countries analyzed. The marked contrast of the lung cancer mortality rate evolution in Catalonia and Spain compared with some other European countries and the considerable increase of the mortality in younger age groups indicate the need to intensify lung cancer control measures.
