Global survey on tobacco consumption by young subjects 13 to 15 years of age in Russian Federation (2004 – 2015)

The aim of this study was to investigate tobacco consumption by adolescents 13 to 15 years of age in Russian cities (Moscow, Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, Pskov, Cheboksary). Methods. A Russian version of GYTS (Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2015) questionnaire was used. Results. Equal tobacco consumption by young people was noted in all regions of Russia. The overall consumption of tobacco products by adolescents was 10.4% to 19.7% (11.6% to 22.1% by boys and 10.4% to 17.5% by girls). Overall, 5.5% to 11.2% of adolescents consume cigarettes; of them, 5.2 % to 14.7% of boys and 5.9% to 8.0% of girls. Five to six of 10 adolescents have tried to quit smoking during the previous 12 months. Twenty eight per cent to 40.1% of adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke at home and 33.8% to 39.0% exposed to secondhand smoke inside public space; 35% to 53% of smokers bought cigarettes in shops, stands or in street vendors. The young age in 37.5% to 62.0% of smokers did not preclude from buying cigarettes. In points of sale, 7 – 8 from 10 adolescents noted antismoking information and 3 from 10 found tobacco advertisement or sales promotion. Sixty per cent to 70% of adolescents thought that passive smoking was harmful for them. Conclusion. The overall tendency was common for all Russian regions; it was 2- to 3-fold decrease in tobacco smoking prevalence, two-fold decrease in home secondhand smoke prevalence and 2.5-fold decrease in secondhand smoke prevalence at public spaces and in tobacco products availability. Adolescents increasingly (> 90%) aligned the indoor smoking ban in public places and were aware of tobacco smoking danger. There is a reduction in information pool on tobacco consumption in TV programs and other videos. Nevertheless, there is a tendency to reduction in number of adolescents trying to quit tobacco consumption and those who wants quitting in future. Therefore, new directions and changes in tobacco control strategy are needed.

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