CIGARETTE PACKS TO HAVE LARGER WARNING NOTICES FROM 2008
ARMENPRESS
Sep 12, 2007
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: Under a new law on restricting the
sale, consumption and use of tobacco products in Armenia, enforced
on March 2, 2005, warning labels on cigarette packs will become
mandatory in 2008. They will have to cover some 30 percent of the
pack’s space. Cigarette advertising will be outlawed by 2010.
This is a requirement of the European Union’s Framework Convention
on Tobacco control (FCTC), ratified by the Armenian parliament and
signed into law by the president of the country.
The law prohibits smoking in any public transport system, and in all
cultural, educational and health institutions.
Alexander Bazarjian, coordinator of an anti-smoking program of the
health ministry, told Armenpress the government released 200 million
Drams for 2006 and 2007 to fight against smoking. He said some 30-40
non-governmental organizations were selected through competitions to
carry out anti-smoking campaigns.
According to recent statistics, about 65 percent of Armenian men are
smokers, a higher percentage than any country in Europe. The number
of women and especially teenage smokers has registered an increase
in recent years, as has the production and import of cigarettes.