NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 13. /TASS/. World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan on Monday noted progress Russia has reached in fighting smoking.

At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chan thanked him for his leadership skills and devotion to the cause.

She recalled that at one of the previous meetings, Putin told her he wants to improve the health of Russians and make them drink less vodka and smoke less. Chan thanked the Russian president for staying true to his words and for fulfilling promises given to his people.

In turn, Putin recalled that in 2010, in line with polls, some 40% of the adult population were smoking in Russia, whereas the figure has gone down 16-17% in the recent years.

The Russian president emphasized that fight against smoking in Russia will continue, but measures will be taken in a cautious manner.

“We will keep following the path [of fighting smoking] cautiously to avoid infringement on relevant rights of people to their own choice,” Putin said.