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.

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