No-Smoking Policy in Russia: Awareness and Perceptions Among Bashkortostan Adolescents

Abstract

This study aims to describe adolescents’ knowledge and endorsement of tobacco policies in the Russian Federation. We first describe the history of tobacco control policies, and then examine Bashkortostan adolescents’ perceptions of current policies, as well as non-compliance. The Russian Federation has enacted several smoke-free policies that may reduce exposure to second-hand smoke. Among 716 high school students surveyed, over 90% correctly understood the smoke-free rules in public places, school, apartment hallways and elevators, and public transportation. However, only 24% understood that there were no such rules currently applied inside apartments. Approximately 40% witnessed non-compliance in public places and school and 61% in apartment stairs and elevators. The highest compliance was observed in public transportation (85%). Two thirds of 57 recent smokers had violated one of these policies. Adolescents disciplined or suspended from school were more likely to be non-compliant with no smoking policies. Better and widespread education on tobacco laws, enforcement, and potentially more severe penalties for violations should be implemented in the Russian Federation to increase compliance.