Social district officers conducted a survey among Nizhny Novgorod residents about the ban on vapes.

      90% of the region's residents supported this initiative

      Social district officers conducted a survey among Nizhny Novgorod residents regarding the ban on vapes. PHOTO: Organizers of the "Social District Officer" project.

      Over 90% of the residents of Nizhny Novgorod region support the initiative to ban vapes proposed by Governor Gleb Nikitin. This is according to data from a large-scale sociological survey organized by social district officers. The study was conducted from December 2025 to February 2026, with over 22,000 Nizhny Novgorod residents from different areas of the region participating.

      - The feedback collection as part of the study was organized through the "Social District Officer" project, which ensures direct contact with residents and allows for the recording of public requests, - the project organizers said. - Social district officers work daily with citizens' appeals, which helps to form an objective picture of the sentiments and problems concerning residents. This feedback becomes an important basis for making management decisions.

      According to the survey results, 80.3% of respondents fully support the ban on vapes, while another 10.8% are somewhat supportive. Thus, the overall level of trust in this initiative exceeds 91%. All this indicates a strong public demand for the formation of a healthy environment. - The high level of support for the ban on vapes is not just a reaction to a specific initiative, but reflects the accumulated public demand for health protection, especially among young people. People see the risks and are ready to support measures aimed at reducing them, - believes Roman Golubin, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod.

      As the results of the same survey showed, 35% of respondents noticed a decrease in alcohol consumption among their peers. Another 32% are confident that people have started smoking less. Medical professionals also note an increase in citizens' adherence to healthy lifestyle principles. This is the result of comprehensive work by the entire healthcare system within the framework of the national project "Sustained and Active Life."

      Vasily KROTOV