ArmenPress
March 2 2005
ARMENIA MALES TOP THE LIST OF EUROPEAN SMOKERS
YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS: The law on restrictions on sale,
consumption and use of tobacco products, enforced today, outlaws
smoking in public transport, cultural, educational and health
institutions. It was passed by the Armenian National Assembly last
month after being twice rejected by lawmakers, some of them the
biggest cigarette producers and importers. The parliament also
ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco control (FCTC). One of
the requirements of FCTC is to follow the World Health Organization’s
standard of health warning covering 30 percent of the cigarette pack.
However that portion of the law would become mandatory only by 2008.
Cigarette advertising will be outlawed by 2010.
Statistics say more than 70 percent of Armenian men are smokers,
topping the list of European smokers. The number of smoking women and
teenagers increase with each year as well as the production and
import of cigarettes in the country.
According to preliminary official figures , around 1.7 billion
cigarettes were imported to Armenia in 2004.
Organizations in Armenia who campaign against smoking hope that
with the enforcement of the law the number of smokers will, if not
reduce, at least stop increasing. According to WHO findings, around
2,000 men between 36-69 die in Armenia annually of diseases caused by
smoking.
The law is to be enforced in three stages, by next January every
enterprise or company must have a special smoking area, cafes and
restaurants will have to allow visitors special rooms for smokers and
non-smokers.
The Armenian Public Health Alliance and the Coalition for Tobacco
Free Armenia said in a press release today they look forward to
successive and effective implementation of comprehensive tobacco
control measures in line with the principles of the Convention.
The press release said the proper enforcement of the law can save
lives, “as it encompasses measures aimed at preventing tobacco uptake
by children, assisting smokers in quitting, and protecting the right
of non-smokers for a smoke free environment.”
“We clearly realize that this is a long and not easy way that will
require collaboration between all interested in tobacco control
parties, including state, international and private organizations. We
believe that without massive information campaigns and without a
monitoring of the process by the non-governmental organizations the
success is not possible. Therefore, we look forward toward more
active participation of the civil society to ensure a stable
progress,” it said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress