Armenia: Anti-smoking measures could save 23,000 lives in 15 years

A new report[1] A joint report by the UN, the Framework Convention Secretariat, and the Armenian Ministry of Health has assessed the costs tobacco imposes on Armenia's economy—and the benefits of acting now to reduce tobacco use. The report's findings demonstrate that adopting and implementing seven proven FCTC tobacco control measures could save more than 23,000 lives and prevent more than €1.6 billion in economic losses over the next 15 years.

This report on tobacco control in Armenia analyzed the health and economic costs of tobacco use, as well as the potential benefits of strengthening tobacco control in the country. It recommends concrete measures, in addition to the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention, and is a tool for ministries in their initiatives to prevent and combat the harms of tobacco products.[2].

The weight of tobacco consumption in Armenia

In Armenia, approximately 28% of adults (18–69 years) regularly use tobacco products. Smoking prevalence varies considerably between demographic groups. Nearly one in two men smokes, compared to only 1 in 50 women. Tobacco causes more than 5,500 deaths each year, accounting for nearly 20% of all deaths in the country. Half of these deaths occur among those under 70 years of age.

Nearly one-fifth of deaths are due to exposure to secondhand smoke, more than double the global average. More than half of adults aged 18 to 69 are exposed to tobacco use at home, and about 1 in 4 are exposed at work.

Smokers in Armenia consume an average of 1.2 packs of cigarettes (24 cigarettes) per day, higher than the global average of 18 cigarettes per day and the WHO European Region average of 21 cigarettes per day. These consumption levels lead Armenian smokers to spend an average of €28 per month on cigarettes, or approximately €9 billion of the average monthly salary. Tobacco costs Armenia nearly €500 million each year, or €4.2 billion of its annual GDP. These annual costs include €138 million in healthcare expenditures and €357 million in lost productive capacity due to premature mortality and disability.

Implementing effective measures would save 23,000 lives

The Armenian government has taken unprecedented steps to reduce tobacco consumption in the country with the enactment of the 2020 Law on the Reduction and Prevention of Harm to Health from the Consumption of Tobacco Products. Strict enforcement of the law upon its entry into force and continued action to implement additional tobacco control measures can reduce the national burden of tobacco use.

The results show that adopting and implementing seven proven tobacco control measures from the WHO Framework Convention would save more than 23,000 lives and reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases in the country attributable to tobacco use over the next 15 years. These measures include: banning advertising, introducing plain packaging, increasing taxes, banning smoking in public places, providing graphic health warnings, providing cessation assistance, and conducting information and prevention campaigns on the dangers of tobacco use among the population. Adopting the WHO Framework Convention measures would prevent more than 7,800 premature deaths from the four main NCDs (cancer, diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) by 2030, representing approximately 20% of the reduction in premature mortality required to achieve target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cost-effective measures that would generate significant tax revenues

According to the report's estimates, the recommended interventions would generate a return on investment of more than 1 in the first five years, meaning that even in the short term, the government's implementation of measures will be cost-effective. Every Armenian dram invested in tobacco control today will generate savings for the country of 38 drams by 2024 and 86 drams by 2034. The most cost-effective measures are tax increases and bans on tobacco advertising. For example, for every 1 dram invested in 2021 for the proper implementation of Article 13 of the FCTC (ban on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship), the return on investment will be 888 drams by 2034.

Over 15 years, more than €1.6 billion in economic losses would be avoided, and implementation would result in additional savings of half a billion euros from avoided tobacco-related health costs. The economic benefits (€1.6 billion) would far exceed the €18 million cost of implementing the seven measures of the WHO FCTC.

Keywords: Armenia, FCTC, health, tobacco control, growth

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[1] The Case for Investing in WHO FCTC Implementation in Armenia, United Nations Development Programme, November 1, 2021, accessed November 2, 2021

[2] Press release, Armenia Tobacco Control Investment Case, United Nations Development Programme, November 1, 2021, accessed November 2, 2021