MediaMax, Armenia
March 6 2020
Yerevan/Mediamax/. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has signed the law that bans smoking in indoor public places and all catering establishments.
“As I was putting down my signature, I thought as the president and as a citizen of Armenia, does there have to be a law for people to understand the damage that smoking causes to health, family, society, and environment? Does the formal wording of laws have more influence on us than what our parents teach us, the advice from our relatives and friends, and the stories about the danger of smoking we read every day?” said Armen Sarkissian.
According to him, it is never too late to quit and there should not be need for state intervention for that.
“Of course, the law sets certain restrictions that everyone has to obey. However, it is an individual decision whether to think or not think about the health of your family, our people, and our country.
On the other hand, both smokers and non-smokers are our citizens and no legislative restriction, even if it serves for public good, should become a reason of intolerance. The government is responsible for facilitating positive changes in smokers’ behavior through policies, including establishment of favorable conditions for healthy lifestyle,” added President Sarkissian.