Smoking kills up to 400, 000 Russians every year

SAINT PETERSBURG. November 10. KAZINFORM /Yelena Myagkova/ Healthcare Ministry of the Russian Federation says, that Russia is the most smoking country in the world. The Ministry came to this conclusion following a poll held among adult population of the country under the patronage of the WHO.

The poll found out that 49.3 mln adult Russians smoke. Moreover, Russian consumers of tobacco are at the age of 19-44, that is the most economically and demographically active age group. 7 out of 10 men and 4 out of 10 women belonging to this group are active smokers.

The Healthcare Ministry and the WHO are currently developing the measures which will be able to impact tobacco epidemic. Thus, according to economists, raising prices for tobacco up to 70% from its retail price will save lives of 2.7 mln people in the country.

As for economic impact, the experts of WHO consider that price increase for tobacco from 33% to 70% will bring RUB 125 bln-153 bln income to the budget.

300, 000 - 400, 000 Russians die every year from the diseases caused by smoking. Tobacco consumption is one of three factors of premature deaths in the country after high blood pressure and high content of cholesterol in blood.