Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Government has approved the package of bills that bans smoking in enclosed spaces and, gradually, semi-open spaces as well.

The package provides for certain restrictions on smoking in public transport and at playgrounds, as well as in healthcare, cultural and educational institutions. The new regulations also include points aimed at introducing restrictions on sale, promotion and advertising of tobacco products.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has noted during the session that 80% of the government members and 100% of marz governors do not smoke.

The Health Ministry has presented the following data:

- 28% of Armenia’s population smokes; almost all smokers practice the habit daily;

- The percentage of smokers makes 52 among adult men and 2 among adult women;

- One in four 17-year-olds smokes regularly;

- Over 70% of pregnant women are subjected to secondhand smoke daily.

Armenia registers annually 55,000 new patients with cardiovascular diseases, with smoking as one of the leading causes of the disease.

The Ministry of Health has also stated that within 15 years after introduction of the anti-smoking policy, 7,000 smoking-related deaths will be prevented and public health record will improve owing to prevention of thousands cases of cancer, heart attack and ischemic cardiovascular event.