[The epidemiological characteristics of tobacco smoking].

The author analyses the pattern of the occurrence and development of tobacco addiction among the city population of Samara. Analysis of the epidemiological features of tobacco smoking in Samara shows that its prevalence is quite high among both men and women, especially young ones. The prevalence of smoking depends on the level of education and family status; the proportion of smokers is the smallest among married people with higher education. These facts evidence the necessity of active anti-smoking preventive measures that would integrate efforts of the medical community and would be directed towards different social population groups.