Prevalence of smoking in 8 countries of the former Soviet Union: results from the living conditions, lifestyles and health study.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to provide comparative data on smoking habits in countries of the former Soviet Union.


METHODS
We conducted cross-sectional surveys in 8 former Soviet countries with representative national samples of the population 18 years or older.


RESULTS
Smoking rates varied among men, from 43.3% to 65.3% among the countries examined. Results showed that smoking among women remains uncommon in Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova (rates of 2.4%-6.3%). In Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Russia, rates were higher (9.3%-15.5%). Men start smoking at significantly younger ages than women, smoke more cigarettes per day, and are more likely to be nicotine dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking rates among men in these countries have been high for some time and remain among the highest in the world. Smoking rates among women have increased from previous years and appear to reflect transnational tobacco company activity.
Gilmore
Anna
A
European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, England. anna.gilmore@lshtm.ac.uk
Pomerleau
Joceline
J
McKee
Martin
M
Rose
Richard
R
Haerpfer
Christian W
CW
Rotman
David
D
Tumanov
Sergej
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017517:Commonwealth of Independent States / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology