There is an analysis of the prevalence of smoking as a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among the population of St. Petersburg on the basis of the results of the first phase of an epidemiological study RESPECT (RESearch on the PrEvalence and the diagnosis of COPD and its Tobacco-related aetiology). 2121 persons aged 35-70 years were randomly chosen from the lists of 10 primary care centers in St. Petersburg. The response rate was 72,7% (n = 2121 of 2917). The prevalence of smoking and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics were studied. Overall, 30,6% currently smoked (46,8% men and 23,2% women), 18,5% was ex-smoked (26,5% men and 14,9% women). The average smoking history was 23,1 pack/years, ex-smokers - 14,2 pack-years. 48,5% of smokers and 28,8% of ex-smokers smoked more than 20 pack-years. The highest percentage of smokers (41,9%) was found among those aged 55 to 64 years. It was found the relationships between the rate of smoking and level of education. The prevalence of smoking among persons with higher education was lower than among those without (44,7% and 51,9% respectively, p < 0,001). The lack of higher education increases the chance of smoking (OR = 0,75; 95% CI 0,627-0,892). Smokers with low income were significantly more than those with high income (63,4% and 36,8%, respectively, p < 0,05). Low income is associated with a higher chance of smoking more than 20 pack-years among ever smokers persons compared with the same persons with high income (OR = 0,66; 95% CI 0,51-0,85). These data suggest the meaningful prevalence of smoking among residents of St. Petersburg at the age of 35-70 years.