Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

According to the data of the VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey, the Russian population is skeptical about introduction of plain cigarette packaging. 

MOSCOW, June 23, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing the attitudes of Russians towards measures to combat smoking.

Forty-five percent of Russians believe that the ban on smoking in public places is the most effective measure among all measures to reduce smoking. The smoking behavior is also influenced by the ban on tobacco advertising (32), awareness-raising activities (28%) and closed cigarette displays (25%). Fewer respondents mention anti-smoking advertising campaign; only every fifth (20%) considers that advertising can reduce smoking. Nineteen percent of respondents think that an effective measure is to put threatening images illustrating harmful effects of smoking on the package. This data constitutes an optimal level of state regulation in this sphere. The least effective measure would be to introduce a uniform plain package – only 2% of respondents think it would have positive effects. Such an assessment is typical both for smokers and non-smokers.

The survey addressed issues related to additional tobacco control measures. The findings suggest that a plain cigarette package would be an excessive measure according to 67% of respondents. They are opposed by 28% who are confident that the plain packaging would help reduce smoking. Most of respondents are skeptical about this initiative; they think this may lead to tobacco smuggling: 67% of respondents consider that the neighboring countries may start supplying Russia with the cigarettes in the packaging Russian consumers were previously accustomed to, and 58% think that there will be a drop in cigarette quality because the competitiveness among the tobacco manufacturers will be limited only to pricing (58%).

The package design is important to inform the consumers about the brand and cigarette characteristics (53%) and not for tobacco advertising (27%). Fifty-three percent of respondents consider that plain packages will restrict consumer’s right to make their choice; 37% oppose this stance.

Price and quality are the key factors that influence the choice of cigarettes for regular smoking: they were mentioned by 38% and 36% of those who smoke or who stopped smoking. Taste is important for every fourth respondent (25%); 15% opt for strength; 11% prefer the exact brand they trust most. The consumer choices are least affected by such factors as preferences of friends (8%), prestige (5%), personal style (5%), attractive design and package arrangement (4%).

Sixty-six percent of those who smoke or who smoked and stopped that (44%) started smoking because everybody around was doing that.  Eleven percent began smoking because it was their lifestyle. Three percent say that their decision to start smoking was influenced by the image of successful persons seen on TV, in the movies, in music or literature. No one mentioned attractive design or package arrangement.

As to priority issues in social sphere, 54% say that the government should focus on health care quality and pensions and benefits (49%).  More attention should be paid to road construction and repairs (39%), efforts to decrease the unemployment rate (31%), to increase the quality of education services (28%) and to improve the housing sector (28%). Respondents say that measures aimed at combating alcoholism (15%), improving the residential areas (12%) are less important. Only 5% regard the anti-smoking efforts are of great importance.

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on June 6-7, 2017, and commissioned by the Social Design Center “Platforma”. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

In your opinion, what are most effective ways to reduce smoking?
  (closed-ended question, not more than three answers, %)

 

Total respondents

Ban on smoking in public places

45

Ban on tobacco advertising

32

Awareness-raising activities

28

Placement of tobacco products in closed display units so that nobody could see the cigarettes  

25

Anti-tobacco campaign

20

Images of negative health impacts of smoking on packs of cigarettes  

19

Restrictions on showing smoking  scenes in the movies 

8

Introduction of brand-free plain cigarette packaging

2

Don’t know

16

In stores they already keep tobacco range in closed display units which restrict the product choices. There are also terrifying pictures on the packages of cigarettes. Will the introduction of plain cigarette packaging help reduce smoking?? (closed-ended question, one answer %)

 

Total respondents

Those who never smoked

Those who smoke

Those who stopped smoking

Yes, it may help reduce smoking

28

30

22

29

No, it is an excessive measure, and it will not have any impact on smoking behavior  

67

65

75

65

Don’t know

5

5

3

6

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Plain cigarette packaging will lead to tobacco smuggling, including from those countries who will illegally supply Russia with cigarettes in their traditional packages (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Those who never smoked

Those who smoke

Those who stopped smoking

Completely agree/Rather agree

67

66

72

66

Disagree /Rather disagree

24

26

21

23

Don’t know

9

8

7

11

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Plain cigarette packaging will lead to poor quality of cigarettes, as the competition between the cigarette manufacturers is exclusively limited to price
 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Those who never smoked

Those who smoke

Those who stopped smoking

Completely agree/Rather agree

58

61

52

61

Disagree /Rather disagree

31

28

40

29

Don’t know

11

11

8

10

What does the package design refer to, personally for you? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Those who never smoked

Those who smoke

Those who stopped smoking

It refers to tobacco advertising

27

31

18

30

It refers to brand, cigarette characteristics

53

47

63

56

Don’t know

20

22

19

14

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Plain cigarette packaging restricts the rights of consumers in terms of product choice (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Those who never smoked

Those who smoke

Those who stopped smoking

Completely agree/Rather agree

53

54

54

52

Disagree /Rather disagree

37

37

38

41

Don’t know

10

9

8

7

What factors are important for you when choosing cigarettes for regular smoking? (closed-ended question, not more than four answers, % of those who smoke or smoked before)

 

Total respondents

Price

38

Quality

36

Taste

25

Strength

15

Brand loyalty

11

Everyone who I know smoke this type of cigarettes

8

Image

5

Personal style, matching the image that I like

5

Attractive design and  package arrangement

4

Influence of advertising 

1

Don’t know

10

What influenced your choice to start smoking?
 (closed-ended question, not more than two answers, % of those who smoke or smoked before)

 

Total respondents

Many people smoked in my environment (family, school, work, friends)

66

Smoking matched my personal style

11

There are many smokers among successful people – you can see them on television, in the movies, in music and literature  

3

Cigarette brand image influenced my choice

1

Attractive design and  package arrangement influenced my choice

0

Other

19

Don’t know

8

What social problems should the state solve in the first place?
(closed-ended question, not more than three answers %)

 

Total respondents

Improve the quality of health services

54

Increase pensions and benefits

49

Road construction and repairs

39

Decrease the unemployment rate

31

Increase the education level

28

Improve the housing sector  

28

Fight alcoholism

15

Improvements in residential neighborhoods 

12

Fight smoking

5

Other  

9

Don’t know

2

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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Topics:
Smoking