OBJECTIVE
To study the smoking status, type of consumed tobacco products and smoking intensity in the Russian population of men and women aged 35—74 years.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Representative samples (n=27 804, men and women 35—74 years old) from 15 regions of the Russian Federation were surveyed in 2020—2022, and the response was more than 70%. Smoking was assessed using the STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire, adapted by the specialists of National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine. The analysis included the following sections: status of tobacco consumption (never smoked; smoked but gave up a year ago or more; smokes now), type of consumed tobacco, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), age at first smoking, smoking cessation, information about attempts to stop smoking, smoking index (SI). The statistical analysis was carried out in the R 4.1 open source software environment. Continuous variables were described using mean and standard deviation (M±SD) or median and quartiles (Med [Q1; Q3]). Qualitative variables were described by relative frequency (%). The comparison of discrete variables between groups was done using the Fisher’s exact test. Prevalence test for trend was performed using linear or logistic regression. Significance level was taken equal to 0.05.
RESULTS
The proportion of men equal 45.4% and women equal 83.9% has never smoked, 26.7 and 8.4%, respectively, has stopped smoking. Industrial cigarettes were consumed by 90.2% of smokers (men — 90.4%, women — 89.3%), ENDS — 4.9% (3.8% and 8.5%). More than 20 cigarettes a day were smoked by 43.2% of men and 16.8% of women. SI>10 pack/year has been determined in 81.1% of men and 55.3% of women, SI>25 pack/year — in 41.5 and 14.1%, respectively. The proportion of subjects equal 31.5% tries to stop smoking, and 41.5% got tips to refuse smoking.
CONCLUSION
Among smokers in Russia, 9 out of 10 consume cigarettes, and an increase of consuming electronic nicotine delivery systems up to 4.9% has been found. Extension of prevention influence is necessary to achieve smoking cessation in those who receive preventive consultation.
