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Armenian Men top the list of European smokers

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  • Armenian Men top the list of European smokers

    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
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