Each Non-Smoking Resident of Almaty “Inhales” the Equivalent of 24 Packs of Cigarettes a Year

According to calculations by researchers from the Almaty Air Initiative, based on 2023 data, the average Almaty resident inhales air pollution equivalent to 487 cigarettes per year — that is, 24 packs of cigarettes annually for every man, woman, and child.

For the calculation, two key data sources were used:

• air pollutant concentration data from the Clarity Movement monitoring network (openmap.clarity.io), and
• the results of a study conducted by Richard A. Muller and Elizabeth A. Muller.

Following the same method used by the Mullers, we applied the rule that 22 µg/m³ of PM2.5 per day roughly corresponds to one cigarette a day. Doubling this level equals two cigarettes per day. The equivalence between smoking and air pollution was calculated based on their relative impact on mortality. Unlike smoking, however, air pollution affects all age groups.

In 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in Almaty was 30 µg/m³, which equals about 1.4 cigarettes per day, or 487 cigarettes per year, for an average resident.

That may sound alarming — but the reality could be even worse. Studies estimate that for every person who dies from smoking-related causes, there are dozens more who suffer serious health consequences linked to air pollution.

Air pollution claims more lives worldwide each year than AIDS, malaria, diabetes, or tuberculosis, making it one of the greatest environmental crises of our time. These figures highlight the urgent need for stronger action to improve air quality in Almaty — a mission the Almaty Air Initiative continues to pursue.

Ауаның ластануы жыл сайын әлем бойынша ЖИТС, безгек, қант диабеті мен туберкулезден гөрі көбірек адамның өмірін қияды және қазіргі таңда әлемдегі ең ірі экологиялық апаттардың бірі болып саналады. Бұл көрсеткіштер Алматы қаласында ауаның сапасын жақсарту бойынша нақты шаралар қабылдау қажеттігін айқын көрсетеді. Біз дәл осы бағытта жұмыс істеп келеміз.