Russian cigarette market grows to become world's third largest

Russia is the world's third largest consumer of cigarettes - after China and the US, according to State Duma Health Committee Deputy Chairman Nikolai Gerasimenko. He said that the cigarette market in Russia continues to grow. 'This year 380 billion cigarettes will be produced in the country, up from 141 billion in 1996,' said Gerasimenko. He said the increase was occurring because Russia has created the best conditions in the world for tobacco producers. 'We don't have any restrictions on tobacco advertising and tobacco companies effectively lobby their interests in the government and health ministry,' he added.