Russia and Smoking

The Russian government is taking steps to address smoking by banning all tobacco advertising.  Hundreds of thousands of people in Russia die each year from smoking-related illnesses; 60 percent of men and 30 percent of women smoke.  Experts say the ban is just the first step in changing the habits of millions. Cigarettes in Russia are cheap and most restaurants are smoker-friendly and public places usually have a place to smoke. The number of Russian women who smoke has more than doubled since the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to new research.

In 1992, seven per cent of women smoked, compared to almost 15 per cent by 2003. In the same period, the number of men who smoke has risen from 57 per cent to 63 per cent.

According to the country's Ministry of Health, it is estimated around half a million people die of smoking-related diseases annually. The Russian government is beginning to take action and has decided to completely ban all tobacco advertising. The government has approved a draft law on joining the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control where the ban must be implemented within five years.

Sergey Polyatykin from the 'No to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction' Fund says "Ads in a way are information in the form of pressure, as they make it easier for a person to start smoking. Banning tobacco ads is just the first step."  

At iGlobalPathways, we can help. We have resources to help anyone who wants to quit smoking. Using motivational interviewing along with education, support and quit plan, it is possible to stop smoking. 

In a recent New York Times article, Clifford Levy reported some alarming news about alcohol abuse in Russia. He states, "drinking has increased sharply since the Soviet Union’s fall in 1991, though heavily intoxicated people have been somewhat less visible on the streets in recent years, in part because the police do a better job of whisking them away." Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, has been voicing that sentiment a lot lately, declaring that the government must do something about the country’s status as a world leader in alcohol consumption.

But drinking — vodka in particular — is another thing entirely. It is a mainstay of Russian life, both a beloved social lubricant and a ready means for escaping everyday hardship. Mr. Medvedev is seeking steeper penalties on the sale of alcohol to minors, as well as a crackdown on beer, which has grown more popular among young people. Beer sales at kiosks would be banned, as would large beer containers. The government may seek more control over the market for vodka, still the most common alcoholic beverage.

At iGlobalPathways, we are working to train narcologists, psychologists,  and human resource departments to assess alcoholism, develop treatment programs, and provide family support. We are using internet based videocasting, telehealth media to promote prevention, intervention and treatment of alcoholism.

Why Focus on Grief at Work?

In a recent American Hospice Foundation newsletter, "When an employee is seriously ill, dies or suffers the loss of a family member, productivity, morale in the workplace can suffer dramatically." The cost to employers can be high. According to the Wall Street Journal of 2002, the overall cost of grief in America's workplace totals approximately $75 billion a year. Understanding the basics of grief, how to respond to grieving workers, strategies that support a healthy work environment can help managers, employees and families adjust to loss. We can help, call 713-621-2490 for more information about iGlobalPathways programs and services.