What Penalties Will You Face for Violating the Anti-Smoking Law?

What cases will the Inspectorate for Health and Labor (IHL) impose fines for violating the anti-smoking law? The IHL has issued a statement, specifically noting, "The supervision of compliance with several provisions of the Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Reduction and Prevention of Health Damage from the Use of Tobacco Products and Their Substitutes" is assigned to the Inspectorate for Health and Labor.

The IHL's supervision includes the advertising of tobacco products, the involvement of persons under 18 in their sale, their display in sales areas, and the representation of their use in broadcasts, among other restrictions (Article 47.15).

What penalties will the IHL impose in specific situations?

• If tobacco is advertised: Fine of 750,000 to 800,000 AMD.
• If tobacco or its use is mentioned in advertisements for other goods/services: Fine of 750,000 to 800,000 AMD.
• If tobacco is mentioned or included in the advertisement of other products/services: Fine of 750,000 to 800,000 AMD.
• If tobacco is placed or displayed in areas meant for its sale: This includes visibility in sales areas and fines of 150,000 to 200,000 AMD. This also applies to empty packs, containers, and posters that imitate trademarks.
• If tobacco or its use appears in audiovisual works made for children in Armenia: Fine of 150,000 to 200,000 AMD.
• If the broadcaster fails to inform about the harmfulness of tobacco use as required by law: Fine of 150,000 to 200,000 AMD.
• If anyone under 18 is involved in the sale of tobacco in any way: Fine of 150,000 to 200,000 AMD (Article 173.1).

For all the above violations, a double penalty will be imposed if the same violation occurs within six months after the initial administrative penalty is executed.

This law, adopted on February 13, 2020, prohibits smoking in public places and tightens the conditions for the sale of tobacco. Some provisions of the law are yet to come into force. For instance, smoking in public dining facilities will only be banned starting in 2022. The norms under IHL's supervision will come into effect on the 10th day following their official publication.