70% of Russian men are hooked on cigarettes

Some 70% of Russian men and 14% of Russian women are dependent on tobacco. The statistics came from Igor Petrachev, chief specialist for social programs of the Saint Petersburg Administration's Committee on Youth Policy, at a roundtable discussion held at the City Center for Neglected and Drug-Dependent Teens, Rosbalt reported.

Petrachev said the statistics came from the World Health Organization. WHO figures for 2002 were 63% for Russian men and 9% for Russian women. He called for a stepup in preventive efforts, especially among young people, in the battle against tobacco addiction.