The government passed legislation that would ban smoking in closed spaces.
The Law on Reduction and Prevention of Health Damages caused by the Use of Tobacco Products and their Substitutes would ban the use of cigarettes in closed spaces and eventually in semi-closed spaces. There are also plans for banning smoking on public transportation, in children’s parks, as well as in healthcare, cultural, and educational institutions. The government also plans to place restrictions on advertisements about cigarettes and their substitutes.
During the session of government, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that he quit smoking in 2004. He also said that 80 percent of the members of government do not smoke, and neither do 100 percent of the country’s governors. “The police chief does not smoke, and the National Security Service leader only smokes in private.”
Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan told reporters during a briefing after the session of government that some changes were made to the draft with regard to the time frames in which this would be implemented. “Restrictions on displaying tobacco products will go into effect on January 1, 2021, and the controversial ban on smoking in closed spaces will go into effect on March 15, 2022,” the minister said.
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Nelly Babayan
