Why is smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol so much more prevalent in Eastern Europe than Western?

Answer 1

Good question, and i often asked myself the same question when I was living in eastern europe, but i guess the answer that alcohol and cigarrettes are not as expensive in eastern europe. With Countries like Slovakia, Czech, Poland and etc...in EU now and also adapting to EU currency, I think people will stop smoking and and drinking alcohol since those things will become more eexpensive.

Answer 2

I lived in Bulgaria for a time, right as that country was coming out of Communism. And, you're right it seemed as if everyone smoked and drank. I asked this question to some of my Bulgarian friends and the answer they gave me was that, many times, it was cheeper for the government to hook the people on these habits so they would not know how bad life was under the Communists, but also so they would't want to eat as much--the drunk only wants another drink and vodka is cheep to make and smoking curbs the appetite.

Answer 3

well, just because the eastern countries are poor and they have to drink and smoke, to keep them alive means after work have some beer and smoke , nothing else to do. and please do not compere western with eastern countries.

Answer 4

Because it's bloody cold over there.