Today 35% of Russians smoke. Every third Russian tries to restrict oneself to smoking in certain places.
MOSCOW, August 7, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the number of Russians who smoke; how the cigarette consumption level has changed over a year; and whether the smokers respect the ban or not..
The number of Russian non-smokers has increased from 58% in 2013 to 65% in 2014. At the same time, half of Russians (52%) report that they have never smoked: over five years this share has been almost stable (from 51% in 2009). Thirteen percent of respondents report to have quited smoking. Those who do not smoke are mainly women (81%) and elderly respondents (79%).
Today the share of smokers in Russia makes up 35%; in 2013 it was 41%. Most of those who smoke are men (54%), 25-34-year-old Russians (44%), and residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg (43%). Every fifth (20%) reports smoking one pack of cigarettes a day or even more. Twelve percent of Russians consume several cigarettes a day; 3% smoke two cigarettes a week or a month.
Two-thirds of smokers (66%) consume the same number of cigarettes as a year ago. Every fourth smokes less (23%); they are mainly residents of million cities (29%). On the contrary, 10% of respondents now smoke more.
Since June 1 when the ban on smoking in public places came into force, every third (34%) smokes in designated areas. Fourteen percent of Russians say that they were not affected by the law because they had never smoked in places which are now prohibited. Every fourth (25%) smokes where it does not bother anyone (f.e., entrance halls). They are mainly women (34%), 18-24-year-old Russians (34%), respondents with high income (31%). Seventeen percent of respondents are more categorical: they continue smoking anywhere and pay fines if they have to. They are basically young respondents (23% of 18-24-year-olds) and men (21%) rather than women (8%) and elderly persons (16% aged over 60).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on July 5-6, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you smoke or not? If yes, how often? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2014 |
One pack of cigarettes a day or more | 21 | 21 | 24 | 20 |
Several cigarettes almost every day | 16 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Sometimes several cigarettes per week or per month | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
I quitted smoking and I have not been smoking for a while | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 |
I have never smoked | 51 | 52 | 48 | 52 |
Don`t know | <1 | 1 | 1 | <1 |
Do you smoke more, less or the same amount of cigarettes as it was a year ago? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of smokers) | |||||||
| Total | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less 100 ths | Rural area |
Now I smoke more | 10 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 12 |
Now I smoke less | 23 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 21 | 24 | 20 |
I smoke the same amount | 66 | 58 | 67 | 63 | 67 | 67 | 68 |
Don`t know | 1 | 1 | <1 | 2 | 2 | <1 | <1 |
How did the ban on smoking in public places affect your smoking habits? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of smokers) | |||
| Total | Men | Women |
I smoke where it is allowed | 34 | 33 | 36 |
I smoke where no one mentions it ( entrance halls et cet) | 25 | 21 | 34 |
I keep smoking in public places, and if I have to, I pay fines | 17 | 21 | 8 |
I was not affected by this ban; I did not smoke in places which were prohibited | 14 | 14 | 12 |
I quitted smoking / I am going to quit smoking | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Other | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Don`t know | 2 | 2 | 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!