ArmInfo.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan believes that the ban on smoking in catering facilities and other public places, which has come into force since 2022, is not sufficiently strict. He stated on August 3 at a government meeting.
In response, Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan stated that from January 1, 2022 to this day, the police have made 7,186 administrative protocols on the fact of smoking in prohibited places, of which 790 are in public catering facilities, 6,044- in prohibited places (at schools, hospitals, at bus stops, etc.), and 352 administrative protocols were drawn up against officials on the fact of smoking. He assures that efforts will be intensified to get positive results.
In turn, the prime minister noted that the goal of the authorities is not to fine citizens, but to ensure that they do not smoke. <Many people wonder if a ban on smoking in public places, including bus stops, is justified? The point is to make smoking as uncomfortable as possible for the smoker," he said.
Since January 1, 2022, the public display of cigarettes and their substitutes in retail outlets and public catering establishments is prohibited, and from March 15, a law banning smoking in public places, including restaurants and open-air cafes, came into force in Armenia. At the same time, the ban on smoking applies not only to cigarettes, but also to their substitutes, cigars and hookah. Violation of the ban established by the law implies a fine in the amount of 150-200 thousand drams for officials, and in the amount of 50 thousand drams for individuals. The control over the implementation of this provision of the law is carried out by the Armenian police. From May 2024, the ban on smoking will also apply in semi- closed areas, which will certainly affect visits to outdoor cafes and restaurants.