Anti-Smoking Bill Approved in First Reading

The National Assembly voted today in the first reading on the bill titled "Anti-Smoking Measures," which prohibits smoking in closed and semi-closed areas. LHK deputy Gevorg Gorgisyan stated that they welcome the anti-smoking initiative, but believe that there are shortcomings in the package of bills. "We will vote 'against' now, expecting that the issues will be resolved in the near future," he said.

Deputy Babken Tunyan from the My Step faction responded, saying, "I thought you would say the opposite. If there are things to correct, give us the opportunity. None of us denies this, so I suggest we vote 'in favor' in the first reading."

A total of 83 deputies voted 'in favor,' while 15 voted 'against.'

It is noteworthy that the LHK had announced that 3,200 small retail outlets had approached them, requesting that the smoking advertisement ban be lifted from them as it is a source of income. Additionally, the bill still needs to be voted on in the second reading.