MikeLigalig.com

Around 1.5 million Ukrainians stopped smoking in the past three years as a result of an anti-tobacco campaign that came into effect in 2008, the health ministry said Tuesday.

"Now some 22 percent of the adult Ukrainian population, or about 10.12 million people, smoke or use tobacco products, down from nearly 26 percent just 3 years ago," the ministry said in a report.

According to the document, the habit is unevenly distributed between the sexes, with 46 percent of men and 6 percent of women being smokers.

There has been a large reduction in the number of young women smokers. The population of girl-smokers aged between 18-29 fell from 13.3 percent in 2008 to 8.5 percent in 2011, the ministry said.

Ukraine began to impose a general ban on smoking outdoors where the public has access, and launched a major anti-tobacco television campaign broadcasting commercials social calling to stop smoking in 2008.

In March 2012, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed a law banning cigarette advertising and tobacco sponsorship.