In 2022, Russia saw a notable drop in smoking, with numbers falling by 5.8 percent, translating to about 1.4 million fewer smokers. This trend is drawn from a cross‑section of official statistics compiled by Rosstat and analyzed by the Fineexpertiza audit and consulting network, using their access to Rosstat data. The same study also notes that 19.2 percent of people aged 15 and older, roughly 23 million individuals, continue to struggle with nicotine addiction, highlighting a persistent public health challenge that stretches across the country.
Regional patterns reveal a clear geographic split in smoking prevalence. The highest rates are concentrated in the Altai Republic, where 34.2 percent of adults report smoking. Close behind are the Sakhalin Region at 33.5 percent and the Magadan Region at 31.9 percent. The Nenets Autonomous Okrug shows a rate of 30.4 percent, and the Komi Republic sits at 29.6 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, some regions show much lower levels of tobacco use. Chechnya records 3.3 percent, Ingushetia 4 percent, Dagestan 6 percent, Mordovia 10.2 percent, and North Ossetia 10.9 percent, indicating substantial regional variation likely tied to cultural, economic, and policy factors.
Historical momentum appears to have built up over the years. The study notes that the number of smokers reduced by 7.3 percent in 2020 and by 6.1 percent in 2021, suggesting a continuing downward trajectory across recent years and underscoring the potential impact of public health initiatives and policy shifts during that period.
Experts weigh in on the path forward. Alexander Seryakov, a former oncologist, hematologist, doctor of medical sciences, and head of the SM-Clinic oncology center, discusses quitting strategies and public health implications. He emphasizes practical steps, such as setting a quit date, seeking professional support, and leveraging pharmacological aids when appropriate, to help individuals break nicotine dependence and reduce cancer risk over time.
Overall, the data point to a complex picture: progress is real and measurable at the national level, yet smoking remains deeply entrenched in certain regions. This underscores the need for continued, targeted outreach, stronger cessation resources, and ongoing monitoring to drive further reductions in tobacco use across the country, with special attention to high‑risk areas where prevalence remains stubbornly elevated.”