Number of smokers in Russia down by half since 2009 - Russian deputy PM

MOSCOW. July 24 (Interfax) - Alcohol consumption has fallen from 14 liters per person to slightly over eight liters since launching the Healthcare national project, with the number of smokers falling from almost 40% of the population to 19%, and bakery consumption decreasing by nine percent, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said.

"We first started talking about the need to change lifestyles under the Health national project [...] When we started, alcohol consumption was almost 14 liters per person. Now, it's a little over eight liters. Smoking was widespread - almost 40% of the adult population. Currently, it's less than 19%, including vapes," Golikova said at a plenary session of the Healthy Society forum.

Health centers have actively developed, medical prevention offices have been created, and an information campaign and work with the population has been ongoing since 2009, she said.

Bakery products, pasta, and sugar dominated people's nutrition structure and there were fewer vegetables and fruit, which, among other things, was due to people's living standards, Golikova said.

"We were able to only partially change citizens' attitude to their health, reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, reduce bread consumption considerably, by nine percent," she said.

"However, the need to change citizens' diet persists, as it's necessary to increase the consumption of fish, vegetables and fruit," Golikova said.