Russian Health Ministry: Smoking Rate Falls to 18.7% Over the Past Five Years

  According to data from the Russian Ministry of Health, the share of smokers in Russia has fallen from 24.2% to 18.7% over the past five years.

Breaking news: according to Russian news agencies, data from the Central Research Institute for Healthcare Organization and Informatization under the Russian Ministry of Health shows that the proportion of smokers in Russia has dropped from 24.2% to 18.7% over the past five years.

With the promotion of healthier lifestyles, the smoking rate in Russia has shown a downward trend in recent years. According to 2022 data, 19.2% of adults in the country had a smoking habit. Public awareness of smoking has gradually become clearer, and more people have begun taking steps to change unhealthy habits. This is undoubtedly a reflection of the effectiveness of health promotion efforts carried out through close cooperation between government bodies at all levels and public institutions.

An assessment by the Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) indicates that by 2023, smokers still account for 30% of citizens over the age of 18. Medical institutions and communities still face major challenges in further reducing smoking and other unhealthy habits.

In an interview, pulmonology expert Alexandra Kochurova (Александра Кочурова) said that over the past two years, among people using e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and heated tobacco systems, 10-15% have begun experiencing health problems and sought medical treatment.

This phenomenon has drawn serious concern from experts, who warn that using these modern alternatives does not truly eliminate the health risks associated with smoking.