Kiev International Institute of Sociology at the request of the Ukrainian Center for Tobacco Control and NGO Advocacy Center LIFE at December 2015 has performed a nationwide survey (omnibus) with questions about smoking, smoking cessation, smoking intensity, smoking in public places and at workplaces and perception of tobacco products’ promotion (see Annex A to review the list of questions included in the survey in 2015). The most recent similar surveys were conducted by KIIS in February 2013 and October 2014[1]. The polls were conducted in 110 settlements (PSU) in all regions of Ukraine; in 2014 and 2015 - without the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In Luhansk region the poll was conducted only in territories controlled by Ukraine’s government forces. In Donetsk region the poll was conducted both in areas controlled by Ukraine’s government forces, and territories controlled by separatist forces. Comparisons between surveys was made by identifying 95% confidence intervals for the estimations obtained in each survey. We conclude that differences are significant if the confidence intervals do not overlap.

Main findings:

• The prevalence of everyday smoking among the adult population of Ukraine (aged 18 and older) is 24%, in particular - 9,0% among women and 42,4% among men, which is not very different from that of 2014;

• The percentage of former every day smokers[2] is 2% among women, and 12% among men, and also did not increase compared to previous years;

• Average number of cigarettes smoked per day did not changed significantly, and is 17 for male smokers, and 11-12 for female smokers; 

• Ten graphic warnings about the dangers of smoking for health placed on packs which were shown by respondents were represented unequally, and this unevenness appeared in all surveys of the past three years. The most common were health warnings about lung cancer (33% of all warnings currently operating in Ukraine) and premature death of smokers (19%). All other warnings were observed only on 4-8% of demonstrated cigarette packs (instead of 10% for each of the ten warnings). Most rarely encountered were warnings addressed to women as a target audience, namely that smoking can speed up the aging process of skin (4%), and danger of smoking during pregnancy (4%).

• The percentage of workplaces located in indoor areas where smoking is prohibited everywhere increased from 32.7% (29.7-35.7%) in 2013 for Ukraine in general, and 31.3% (28.3-34.4%) for Ukraine without Crimea to 44.1% (40.9-47.4%) in 2015; the percentage of workplaces without smoking regulations or restrictions for smoking significantly decreased over the last three years – from 10.9% (8.9-13.0%) to 4.5% (3.2-5.9);

• According to 2015 omnibus survey results, only 14.7% (12.3-17.0%) of respondents who worked inside buildings reported that in the past 30 days they observed smoking at their workplace, while in 2013 the percentage of such respondents was 20.6% (18.1-23.2%) (without Crimea 21.2%, confidence interval 18.5-23.8%). The percentage of respondents who witnessed smoking in state institutions decreased from 13.8% (11.5-16.1%) in 2013 to 9.7% (7.9-11.5%) in 2015;

• Among the cigarette packs, shown by respondents who currently smoke, the percentage of packs with foreign markings, which can be partially contraband, was 3.3% in 2015 survey, while in 2013 and 2014 it exceeded 5%. Two thirds of all cigarette packs with Russian markings were found in the part of Donetsk region, which is not controlled by Ukraine, so the level of cigarette smuggling in Ukraine is close to zero;

• Among those respondents who visited places that sell tobacco products in the last 30 days, 37.2% reported that they observed some advertising or similar information that promotes tobacco products. Three fourth of respondents (75.7%) perceive increased illuminated packs of cigarettes, cigarette packs accentuation at places of sale and shop windows, shops, as advertisements aimed to attract the attention of young people to cigarettes.

More information about the prevalence of smoking for a longer period of time, tobacco consumption and tobacco control policies  can be found in the second national report, which summarize the situation by the end of 2013 (Second National Report "Tobacco Control in Ukraine", 2014, http://moz.gov.ua/docfiles/Zvit-tutun-control2.pdf).

The survey was conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology between November 27 to December 18, 2015. Field research phase lasted from December 1 to December 14, 2015. The total number of respondents is 2022.

Statistical sample error (with probability of 0.95 and design-effect of 1.5) does not exceed:

• 3.3% for indicators close to 50%,

• 2.8% for indicators close to 25%,

• 2.0% for indicators close to 10%,

• 1.4%  for indicators close to 5%,

• 0.7% for indicators close to 1%.

B0. If you have ever smoked tobacco products,  have you smoked more or less than 100 cigarettes in your lifetime, or you never smoked?

B1. Do you currently smoke tobacco products (for example, cigarettes) on a daily basis, less than daily, or not at all?

B2. Have you smoked tobacco in the past?

B6. On average, how many tobacco products do you currently smoke per day (per week)?

CP1. Please show me the pack of cigarettes which you have now. INTERVIEWER, PLEASE LOOK AT THE PACKAGING AND RECORD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.

HEALTH WARNING MESSAGES ON TOBACCO PACKAGING:

E4.  Which of the following best describes the indoor smoking policy where you work: Smoking is allowed anywhere, smoking is allowed only in some indoor areas, smoking is not allowed in any indoor areas, or there is no policy?

E5.  During the past 30 days, did anyone smoke in indoor areas where you work?

E6.  Did anyone smoke inside of any government buildings or state institutions that you visited in the past 30 days?

E7. Did anyone smoke inside of any restaurants or cafes that you visited in the past 30 days?

G4. In the last 30 days, have you noticed any advertisements or information promoting cigarettes in stores or kiosks where cigarettes are sold?

G44. Do you consider highlighted and / or increased packs of cigarettes, cigarette packs special arrangement at places of sale or shop/kiosk windows to be a cigarette ADVERTISING?

Table 1. Distribution of everyday smokers, current smokers and former smokers by gender, according to 2013, 2014 and 2015 omnibus survey results: percentage and the 95% confidence intervals

Table 2. Average number of cigarettes and 95% confidence interval for amount of cigarettes smoked per day by everyday smokers aged 18 and older, distribution by gender according to 2013, 2014 and 2015 omnibus survey results

Table 3. Distribution of health warnings on cigarette packs, which were demonstrated by the participants of the surveys in 2013, 2014 and 2015

Table 4. Distribution of indoor workplaces by smoking policy according to 2013 and 2015 omnibus survey results

* - difference is statistically significant at 95% confidence level