Are smokers facing lighter COVID-19 cases? Avanesyan comments

In Armenia, there has been no decrease in the number of smokers, stated Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan in the National Assembly.

“What is the reason for this? Over the past one and a half years, due to COVID-19, awareness-raising efforts, and more aggressive measures taken by tobacco producers, the situation has not improved. They are lobbying significantly against anti-tobacco programs, claiming that implementing such programs adds an extra economic burden during difficult times,” said Avanesyan.

She noted that a smoking ban in public places will come into effect from 2022 and that further restrictive measures need to be implemented.

“I regret to mention that with the emergence of COVID-19, an unethical marketing and advertising policy was employed, circulating the misconception that smokers cope with COVID-19 more easily. I assure you 100% that research conducted within the framework of evidence-based medicine proves the opposite. Health issues arising from smoking are risk factors that lead to a much more severe course of COVID-19, which is already an established fact,” emphasized the Health Minister.

Anahit Avanesyan pointed out that there is a serious problem regarding smoking among individuals under 18. According to her, 51% of men in Armenia smoke, which is alarming.