Armenian government toughness anti-smoking law

YEREVAN, November 21. / ARKA /. The Armenian government has approved today a string of changes to the law on advertisement toughening further restrictions on advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products.

Health minister Derenik Dumanyan said television, radio, electronic and print media are banned from advertising tobacco products. He said the approved changes prohibit outdoor advertisement of tobacco products as well as their advertisement in shops and catering facilities.

He said tobacco products can be advertised only in special editions, available only in tobacco shops, where sale assistants can advertise cigarettes both verbally and visually. But along with it they must also provide information about the dangers of smoking.

Prime minister Tigran Sargsyan said smoking is a serious problem in Armenia killing hundreds of people each year. He urged NGOs to step up their voice against smoking.

There are two international days dedicated to the fight against smoking. On May 31 every year, the world observes World No Tobacco Day that is promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective is to reduce tobacco consumption which can lead to deadly diseases like cancer and early death.

Every year, the third Thursday of November is marked globally as smokeout day. Smokers are urged to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day.  -0-