Armenian parliament tightens laws on smoking

Armenian parliament tightens laws on smoking

.c The Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia’s parliament voted to tighten
restrictions on smoking Friday, approving legislation that will hike
fines and outlaw lighting up in schools, on public transport and in
other public places.

The legislation passed by the National Assembly calls for fines of up
to 100,000 drams (US$200) for violators and also bans smoking by
teenagers under 16.

The legislation, which goes into effect in January, will also prohibit
smoking in cultural institutions and at sporting events.

Packs of cigarettes and other tobacco products that do not have
medical warnings about the dangers of smoking on them will be
destroyed.

The World Health Organization estimates that 63.7 percent of Armenian
men are smokers – the highest rate in Europe.

By comparison, an estimated 60 percent of men in neighboring Georgia
are smokers and 31.2 percent in Azerbaijan.

12/10/04 14:52 EST

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress