“Tobacco epidemic” in the North-East of Russia

Abstract

Since 2004, the Russian Federation has been taking more and more active steps to reduce tobacco consumption, but the epidemiological situation still indicates a low effectiveness of tobacco control measures in several regions of the country. Magadan Region is one of the worst in Russia on the epidemiology of tobacco; its example can show gaps in the state’s tobacco control policy and help work out measures to improve the situation.Aim. Analysis of the tobacco epidemiology in Magadan Region.Methods. A wide survey of the population of the region aged over 15 was performed. A total of 341 people were involved in the survey. The collected data included general information about the respondent, information on tobacco use, tobacco cessation, secondhand smoke, the economy, the media, knowledge, attitudes and perceptions related to tobacco use. The type of the sample was quota based on gender, age and geographical distribution of the population.Results. The study showed that 42% of the population of the region over 15 years old used tobacco regularly. About 90% of the respondents became addicted between 13 and 22 years. The modal consumption values are 10 or 20 cigarettes per day. The average spending on tobacco is about 42 thousand Rubles per year per smoker. Up to a 1/3 of smokers have tried but failed to give up their addiction over the previous year. At the same time, an extremely poor knowledge of the methods of anti-smoking therapy was observed. About 80% of the tobacco users would like to quit smoking in the future.Conclusion. The relatively small costs of tobacco expenses in regions with a high level of income hinder the most effective method of tobacco control – raising taxes on tobacco products.