The landlocked country in Western Asia just prohibited retailers from displaying tobacco products and substitutes.
YEREVAN, Armenia — The Public Radio of Armenia reported on January 3, 2022, that it is now illegal for retailers in the country to display tobacco products and other substitutes like pouches.
Armenian-American newspaper Asbarez further reports that the ban on the display of tobacco products entered into force on January 1, with a ban on plastic bags across the entire country.
On February 11, 2020, the Armenian Parliament approved a law related to reducing tobacco products and preventing their harm and health to its population. These provisions include a ban on the public display of any tobacco product, which provides for traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, other vapes, and other electronic nicotine delivery services like HnB devices.
Arsen Torosyan MP, who served as the Health Minister of Amenia at the time of the law’s passage, made the above statement to the state news media outlet called Armenpress at the time.
“The full application of these provisions over time will significantly reduce tobacco use in the country, which will significantly improve the health of the population and the development of the country’s economy,” added Torosyan in a statement that was published.
According to the law, the retailers would be fined between 200,000 to 250,000 Armenia drams, which is roughly $415 to $520 upon conversion, for breaching the regulations that ban the “open public display of tobacco products and their substitutes.”
A repeat violation will entail a doubled amount of the fine.
The Armenian Market Surveillance Inspectorate will serve as the primary national government regulator to enforce this new law.
In March of 2022, Torosyan added that there would be a ban on smoking in cafés, and restaurants would come into force also.
Armenia, as a country, has not banned entire tobacco products. Vaping, heated tobacco products, and oral alternatives like snus are all legal in Armenia and are consumed at increasing rates.
