The number of smokers in Armenia on the rise, minister says
30.05.2018,
17:28
Despite a number of government-supported anti-smoking programs, the number of smoking population in Armenia is on the rise, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan told a press conference convened to mark the World No Tobacco Day.
YEREVAN, May 30. /ARKA/. Despite a number of government-supported anti-smoking programs, the number of smoking population in Armenia is on the rise, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan told a press conference convened to mark the World No Tobacco Day.
According to the minister, there is a government-approved strategy to combat smoking, but the steps taken to date are not satisfactory. Under the strategy, in 2010-2015 the number of smokers was to drop by 1.5-2% annually, but to date there is a reverse trend, the minister said.
Torosyan said to change the situation, decisive steps and political will are needed, in particular, toughening of the ban on smoking in public places.
"Personally, I support adoption of legal acts on the prohibition of smoking, but considering that the proposed fines for the violation of the law are not unequivocally perceived by the public, I think that the changes must be introduced step by step. The bill will be revised, new broad public discussions will be held, after which it will be submitted to the parliament, " the minister said.
A bill drafted earlier this year by Armenia’s ministry of health would introduce an extensive ban on smoking in cafes, restaurants and other public places and impose heavy fines on people violating it .
According to various estimates, around 60 percent of Armenia’s male population are regular smokers.
The smoking rate among women is 3 percent. However, in the capital city Yerevan some 10 percent of women aged between 30 and 40 are smokers. The ministry says tobacco smoking is the main cause of the country’s high incidence of lung cancer.
Under the bill people caught smoking in cafes, bars, restaurants, government offices and other public places would be fined 250,000 drams ($520). A repeat offense would entail a fine of 500,000 drams ($1,040).
According to the representative of the World Health Organization in Armenia, Yegor Zaytsev,
the most effective way to prevent dependence on nicotine is to raise excise taxes on tobacco products, place warnings on packages about the dangers of smoking, introduce a complete ban on advertising of tobacco products, and eliminate the effects of second-hand tobacco smoke.
"Anti-smoking programs can also have a positive impact on the economy, particularly on tourism. Many residents of European countries are already free from smoking dependence and prefer countries where there are laws guaranteeing clean air in public places and smoking bans," noted Zaytsev.
Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2018 is "Tobacco and heart disease." The campaign will increase awareness on the link between tobacco and heart and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, which combined are the world’s leading causes of death; feasible actions and measures that key audiences, including governments and the public, can take to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco. -0-
According to the minister, there is a government-approved strategy to combat smoking, but the steps taken to date are not satisfactory. Under the strategy, in 2010-2015 the number of smokers was to drop by 1.5-2% annually, but to date there is a reverse trend, the minister said.
Torosyan said to change the situation, decisive steps and political will are needed, in particular, toughening of the ban on smoking in public places.
"Personally, I support adoption of legal acts on the prohibition of smoking, but considering that the proposed fines for the violation of the law are not unequivocally perceived by the public, I think that the changes must be introduced step by step. The bill will be revised, new broad public discussions will be held, after which it will be submitted to the parliament, " the minister said.
A bill drafted earlier this year by Armenia’s ministry of health would introduce an extensive ban on smoking in cafes, restaurants and other public places and impose heavy fines on people violating it .
According to various estimates, around 60 percent of Armenia’s male population are regular smokers.
The smoking rate among women is 3 percent. However, in the capital city Yerevan some 10 percent of women aged between 30 and 40 are smokers. The ministry says tobacco smoking is the main cause of the country’s high incidence of lung cancer.
Under the bill people caught smoking in cafes, bars, restaurants, government offices and other public places would be fined 250,000 drams ($520). A repeat offense would entail a fine of 500,000 drams ($1,040).
According to the representative of the World Health Organization in Armenia, Yegor Zaytsev,
the most effective way to prevent dependence on nicotine is to raise excise taxes on tobacco products, place warnings on packages about the dangers of smoking, introduce a complete ban on advertising of tobacco products, and eliminate the effects of second-hand tobacco smoke.
"Anti-smoking programs can also have a positive impact on the economy, particularly on tourism. Many residents of European countries are already free from smoking dependence and prefer countries where there are laws guaranteeing clean air in public places and smoking bans," noted Zaytsev.
Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2018 is "Tobacco and heart disease." The campaign will increase awareness on the link between tobacco and heart and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, which combined are the world’s leading causes of death; feasible actions and measures that key audiences, including governments and the public, can take to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco. -0-
