UC San Diego Research Projects National Smoking Prevalence Below 5% by 2035
A new study from the University of California San Diego reveals a significant and accelerating decline in cigarette smoking across the United States, driven primarily by young adults. The research, published in JAMA Network Open on April 25, 2025, offers optimistic projections for the future of smoking prevalence but also highlights persistent challenges among older smokers.
Read moreRussia has seen a significant decline in the number of smokers since 2009, with the smoking rate among adults aged 15 and above dropping from 39.5% to 18.6%, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The minister credited the success to the implementation of anti-tobacco measures in the country. The announcement was made during the 2nd All-Russian Municipal Forum, “Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia,” which was held at the Russia National Center from April 21-23, bringing together representatives from various sectors to discuss issues related to the development and support of municipal entities.
News source: Russia’s smoking rate halved since 2009, says health ministry
According to a comprehensive survey of living conditions conducted by Rosstat, the number of heavy smokers who consume a pack of cigarettes a day in Russia fell to a record low of 40% in 2024, down from 46.7% two years earlier.
The survey, which covers 60,000 households from various groups and strata of the population across all regions of Russia, found that one in four residents over the age of 15 smokes (25.5%), a slight decrease from 26.1% in 2022. Of these, 17.8% smoke daily, while 7.7% smoke occasionally. The majority of the population (64.9%) have never smoked, and 9.5% have successfully quit the habit.
Among smokers, 4.4% consume more than one pack of cigarettes a day, while 35.6% smoke up to one pack. These figures have decreased from 4.6% and 42.1% respectively, compared to two years ago. The proportion of those who smoke five to ten cigarettes a day has remained relatively stable, at 35.2% in 2024 and 35.9% in 2022. One in four smokers (24.8%) consumes one to five cigarettes a day, up from 18.1% two years ago.
The survey also revealed that the majority of people (65.3%) start smoking between the ages of 15 and 20, while 22.8% take up the habit between 21 and 30 years old. Only 2.5% of smokers begin after the age of 30.
There is a significant gender disparity in smoking prevalence, with 44.3% of men smoking daily or occasionally, compared to just 10.1% of women. Among daily smokers, 32.7% are men, while only 5.6% are women.
The Rosstat survey, conducted every two years, provides valuable insights into the smoking habits of the Russian population and the progress made in reducing the prevalence of heavy smoking in the country.
Researchers have warned that the progress in reducing smoking rates across England has “stalled” in recent years, with some areas even experiencing apparent increases. The findings come from a study conducted by academics from University College London (UCL), who analyzed data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which included 368,057 adults in England between 2006 and 2024.
Read moreA recent CDC study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report uncovers a significant shift in adult tobacco use trends from 2017 to 2023. The prevalence of exclusive cigarette smoking declined by 5.2% (from 10.8% to 7.9%), while exclusive e-cigarette use surged by 20.3% (from 1.2% to 4.1%) during this period. These changes translate to a decrease of approximately 6.8 million exclusive cigarette smokers and an increase of approximately 7.2 million exclusive e-cigarette users.
Read moreBulgaria is facing a public health crisis, as recent statistics reveal the country has the second-highest smoking rate in the European Union (EU). This alarming trend has led to Bulgaria also ranking second in the EU for mortality from cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control measures.
Read moreA recent study conducted by a team of Australian and New Zealand academics has found that New Zealand’s adult smoking rate has fallen faster than Australia’s over the past decade, despite New Zealand starting with a higher rate in 2013. The researchers explored potential reasons for this difference, focusing on the contrasting approaches to vaping regulation in the two countries.
Read moreA University of Queensland study reveals smoking rates declined twice as fast in New Zealand compared to Australia, crediting less restrictive vaping policies. Between 2016-2023, New Zealand’s adult daily smoking rates fell by 10% annually, while Australia saw only a 5% annual drop. Researchers attribute this gap to differing approaches to vaping access.
Read morePublic health experts in Latvia are sounding the alarm as smoking rates, which had been on a steady decline a decade ago, are once again on the rise. The increase in smoking prevalence is evident in both conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, with children’s doctors expressing particular concern about the early age at which children are starting to smoke, according to a report by Latvian Television on June 30.
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