Number of smokers in Russia down 16-25%, Health Ministry wants to make access to tobacco impossible for those born after 2015

MOSCOW. May 30 (Interfax) – The number of smokers has decreased in Russia over the past 25 years, by 16% according to the Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) and by 25% according to public opinion polls, Russian Health Minister Veronica Skvortsova said.

“The number of smokers has decreased in our country for the first time in 25 years, in the period of our campaign against tobacco. According to Rosstat, the number went down 16% in 2008-2013. If you take the results of public opinion polls for 2014 and 2015, [it went down] by 15%,” Skvortsova said at a press conference on Monday.

She said tobacco consumption is a major factor in the development of non-infectious diseases. “The World Health Organization estimates the contribution of this risk factor to the development of vascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, and endocrine system diseases at some 17%,” Skvortsova said.

She said the Health Ministry has come up with a state policy to counter tobacco consumption in 2016-2020 and beyond.

“The main task we set for ourselves is to provide conditions, under which, access to tobacco products will be impossible for the new generation, for citizens born after 2015, throughout their lifetime. Primarily, it’s prevention of any partnership with tobacco companies, let alone preferences to them. No doubt that gradual increase of excise duties on tobacco products at least to the medium level in the WHO countries. The imposition of extra restrictions on the sale of electronic cigarettes. And of course, a ban on any measures to boost the appeal of cigarettes,” Skvortsova said.

[featured image is file photo]

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