Changes in smoking among adolescents in the Republic of Karelia, Russia and Eastern Finland from 1995 to 2013

Abstract

These results suggest that more attention should be paid for programmes that consider better gender and culture-specific issues in preventing initiation of smoking and promoting an anti-smoking climate in societies.

Family members’ and best friend’s smoking influence on adolescent smoking differs between Eastern Finland and Russian Karelia

“…In the area of North Karelia, Eastern Finland, the rates for 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls in 2013 were close to all Finland, under 10% [7,8]. Other studies in these areas reported a slightly higher daily smoking prevalence [9,10].…”

“…In the Republic of Karelia, in the area of the Pitkäranta district, which represents the rural area of the Russian Federation, daily smoking among men is as high as 60% and among women 20% [10]. Among 15-year-old adolescents, boys’ daily smoking rate was 27% and among girls, 7% [9].…”