The Dynamics of the Russian Lifestyle DuringTransition: Changes in Food, Alcohol and CigaretteConsumption

This paper presents evidence on the impact of individual as well as regionalcharacteristics on changes in fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on diet’sdiversity between 1994 and 2004. The results from a dynamic econometric model suggestthat among individual determinants such as initial levels of consumption, gender,education, household income changes, and access to a garden plot all have a significantimpact on the changes in consumption behavior in Russia. Regarding the macroeconomicvariables, inflation has a significant impact on changes in alcohol and cigarettesconsumption, while unemployment changes significantly impact smoking behavior.Russian consumers only respond to own price changes of fat and protein, but do notrespond to own prices for alcohol and cigarettes. Analysis of subsamples conditional oninitial consumption behavior reveals significant heterogeneity in consumption patterns,which is important for effective policy targeting different population groups in achievinghealthier lifestyle choices in Russia.[...]