Smoking

Smoking is globally the second most common cause of the death and the fourth most common risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Smoking shortens life expectancy by about eight years. Use of all tobacco products (cigarette, light cigarette, cigar and pipe) increases the risk of diseases.

Tobacco industry has markedly increased marketing in Eastern Europe where they see growth potential. Nowadays women are also more often target to marketing.

Daily smoking

• There are more smokers in Pitkäranta compared to North Karelia.
• The proportion of daily smokers decreased in North Karelia from 1982 to 2007 among men and increased slightly among women.
• Smoking is very common among men in Pitkäranta and the proportion of daily smokers among men has not changed in Pitkäranta from 1992 to 2007. During the same period of time, smoking in women has doubled.
• Gender differences in smoking are high in Pitkäranta.  Smoking is much more common among men.

Figure 1. Daily smoking in North Karelia, Finland, 1982–2007

Figure 2. Daily smoking in Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, 1992–2007

More information about daily smoking in Pitkäranta, Russia and North Karelia, Finland can be found in series of pictures
Daily smoking (PDF 345 KB ).