The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Armenia on Saturday organized a bicycle ride in Yerevan dedicated to World No Tobacco Day.

The cyclists headed to the Republic Square and the City Hall from Yerevan's Liberty Square, intending to reach to the Sports and Concert Complex.

In an interview with the reporters, Alexander Bazarchyan, director of the National Healthcare Institute of Armenia’s Ministry of Health, noted that similar events aim at once again raising the public awareness of the issue and advocating a healthy lifestyle.  

“The international experience shows that a ban on smoking in public places is one of the most effective methods [to fight smoking], which reduces the risk factor,” Mr. Bazarchyan added.

May 31 is marked as the World No Tobacco Day by the WHO every year.