In Armenia, the number of smokers by 2020 will be reduced by 3-5%

ArmInfo."At the end of 2020, the number of smokers in Armenia is expected to decrease by 3-5%," Armenian Minister of Health Levon Altunyan said in an interview with ArmInfo.  A government meeting on August 3 approved the Strategy on Smoking  Control for 2017-2020.

As Armenian Minister of Health Levon Altunyan presented the document,  the strategy's goal is to take measures to reduce the use and  consumption of tobacco, and protect public health. In particular, the  following measures are planned within the framework of the strategy:   legislative regulation of the process, in accordance with  international norms, resulting in restrictions on tobacco smoking in  public places and in premises, the terms of reference of the  competent authority controlling the process and the procedure for the  circulation of electronic cigarettes , Clarified the concept of  secondary smoke and forced passive smokers, as well as a ban on  advertising of tobacco products. The Ministry of Health also plans  activities aimed at raising public awareness about the dangers of  tobacco.

Thus, the expected results of the activities carried out within the  framework of the strategy for 2017-2020.  In particular, the  reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use (by 1.5-2% per year), the  relative decrease in the prevalence rate of tobacco use among men  aged 15 and up to 10%, and the reduction in exposure to second-hand  smoke.  At this stage, as Levon Altunyan explained, there are no  measures of responsibility for violations of these requirements. Only  after the development of relevant by-laws within the framework of  today's concept, at the end of the current year, liability measures  and the amount of possible fines will be established. "So, smoke  less," - Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan called after the  presentation of the concept to combat smoking.  Let us remind that at  the end of May the Minister of Health Levon Altunyan at an event  dedicated to the International Day without Smoking, which was held  under the slogan "Tobacco is our common enemy", announced the  development of a law banning smoking in public places. 

The law provides for the prohibition of smoking in all public places.   It was also noted that the program is expected to rise in price of  tobacco products by 30%. "This law can meet opposition, but we are  ready for this," - said the Minister. According to the minister, a  particularly productive step in the fight against smoking is a "blow  to the pocket" of a smoker, and not a psychological effect. "The  purpose of the anti-smoking program for 5-7 years to reduce the  number of smokers in Armenia by 30%," - said then Altunyan.