Armenia receives support from international cooperation to combat smoking

Armenia has been selected along with eight other countries to receive support from the World Health Organization[1] (WHO) with the aim of strengthening the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the country through the FCTC 2030 program.

FCTC to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

The FCTC is recognized as one of the "means of implementation» to achieve the global health goal (SDG 3) and more specifically the goal on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which is to reduce by one third, through prevention and treatment, the rate of premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being by 2030.[2]

The FCTC 2030 project aims to support 24 low- and middle-income countries in achieving the health goal through the implementation of obligations undertaken under the FCTC.[3], strengthening taxes and improving governance of tobacco control

The project serves as a catalyst for action by selected countries to achieve the health and sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda. Initially scheduled for 5 years (2017–2021), additional financial contributions from Norway and Australia have enabled the project to be expanded to 9 new countries. Support includes expert advice, technical assistance, and peer support to strengthen countries' tobacco control agendas.

Anti-smoking legislation adopted in Armenia

For Armenia, this assistance from the international organization and cooperation is part of the second phase of the FCTC 2030 project, which has already been implemented in 15 other countries during its first part since April 2017.[4]Welcoming the program, Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said: “The government is committed to protecting the health of the Armenian people. We must inform our population about the toxicity of this harmful practice and help those who rely on it to quit smoking.. »

The Armenian Parliament voted on February 11, 2020[5] A bill to combat smoking bans smoking in places of collective use, including socializing: bars, restaurants, workplaces and other public places, as well as public transport. Any violation will be punishable by a heavy fine. The legislation also completely prohibits the advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of tobacco products. Starting in 2022, health warnings must cover at least 50% of the main surfaces of cigarette packaging.

A quarter of the Armenian population (15 years and older) consumes tobacco products (24.4%) and more than half of adult Armenian men (15 years and older) are smokers (52.5%). Smoking among men is among the highest in the WHO European Region.[6]As for passive smoking, about a third (26.6%) of Armenians remain exposed to secondhand smoke at work and more than half (56.4%) at home.