The measure introduced in Russia to combat smoking gave positive effects, respondents say. Against this background, the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Health to ban tobacco sales to those born after 2014 is supported by 61% of Russians.
MOSCOW, January 25, 2017. Russian Public Opining Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the government’s anti-tobacco measures.
The share of smokers has almost stayed the same: according to the recent survey it is 32% of Russians (31% in 2016). However, the consumption levels in this group are low: 19% report to smoke one pack of cigarette a day or even more. A further 10% smoke several cigarettes every day; 3% - two or three cigarettes a week/month. Those who tend to smoke are mainly men (48%, almost every second) and persons aged 25-34 (44%). About two-thirds of respondents (67%) report not to smoke, including 20% of those who managed to quit smoking (30% of men).
Despite an increase in the number of smokers in Russia over the recent years (41% in 2013; 31% in 2016; 32% in 2017), more than half of respondents (54%) give negative answer, when asked about the consumption of cigarettes in Russia over the recent four years,. Thirty-three percent of respondents notice a decrease in the share of smokers; on the contrary, 10% say that their number has increased.
Against this backdrop, the initiative to ban tobacco sales to persons born after 2014 draws wide public support (61% approve it); even in the smokers’ group this percentage makes up 51-59%. Thirty-six percent do not support the initiative, including 41% of men, 44% of persons aged 35-44, 43% of pre-retirement age persons and 44% of residents of Moscow and St Petersburg.
The VCIOM survey was conducted on January 20-22, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1800 respondents. 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The household surveys were carried out in 2006-2015.
Do you smoke or not? If yes, how often? (closed-ended question, one answer %) | |||||||
| 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
One pack of cigarettes a day or more | 21 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 19 |
Several cigarettes almost every day | 16 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 |
Sometimes several cigarettes a week or a month | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
I quitted smoking and have not smoked for a while | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 20 |
I never smoked | 51 | 52 | 48 | 52 | 55 | 57 | 47 |
Don’t know | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Since 2013 a number of measures were introduced by the state: ban to smoke in public places, ban on tobacco advertising and retail display, price increase for cigarettes, et cet. In your opinion, have Russians smoked less or more over the recent four years? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | One pack of cigarettes a day or more | Several cigarettes almost every day | Sometimes several cigarettes a week or a month | Several cigarettes almost every day | I never smoked |
They are likely to smoke more | 10 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 12 |
They are likely to smoke less | 33 | 25 | 31 | 40 | 48 | 29 |
They smoke the same amount of cigarettes | 54 | 63 | 57 | 48 | 44 | 54 |
Don’t know | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
The Ministry of Health has drafted a law that completely bans tobacco sales to persons born after 2014 until they are of the legal age. What is your attitude towards this proposal? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | One pack of cigarettes a day or more | Several cigarettes almost every day | Sometimes several cigarettes a week or a month | Several cigarettes almost every day | I never smoked |
I am likely to support it | 61 | 54 | 51 | 53 | 59 | 67 |
I am likely not to support it | 36 | 44 | 45 | 47 | 39 | 28 |
Don’t know | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
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!