Tag Archive for: Smoking Rates

Russia Sees Record Low Number of Heavy Smokers, Survey Reveals

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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.

Study Reveals Smoking Rates ‘Increasing’ in Some Areas of England

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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.

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Adult E-Cigarette Use Surges 20.3% as Cigarette Smoking Declines 5.2% from 2017 to 2023, CDC Study Reveals

A 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.

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Bulgaria Ranks Second in EU for Smoking Rates and Heart Disease Deaths

Bulgaria 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.

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Australia vs New Zealand: How Vaping Policies Impact Smoking Rate Declines

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A 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.

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Study Finds Less Restrictive Vaping Laws Linked to Faster Decline in Smoking Rates

A 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.

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Latvian Public Health Experts Raise Concerns Over Rising Smoking Rates

Public 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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