From January 1, 2024, All Tobacco Products in Armenia Will Be Sold in Uniform Packaging

Starting from January 1, 2024, all tobacco products in Armenia will be sold in uniform packaging, differing only by brand name. According to a law drafted by the Ministry of Health, it will be prohibited to display brand colors, images, or corporate logos on the packaging. Experts believe that for manufacturers, cigarette packaging is part of marketing, aimed at driving additional consumption, reports "News".

“Simplified packaging or uniform packaging reduces consumption by limiting new consumers and prevents the emergence of new consumers. However, the head of the Consumer Consultation Center believes that this law will not have a visible positive effect on consumers, finding prevention measures applied in other countries more effective,” stated Mariam Mnatsakanyan, chief organizer of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health.

“According to procedures, discussions have taken place with EAEU states; a negative stance was received from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, while feedback from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic is still pending. Although there remain six months until the law takes effect and it mandates uniform packaging for all products, the technical specifications have yet to be developed, such as what the packaging should specifically look like or what material it should be made from. It is also unclear whether it will be allowed to consume batches produced or imported in old packaging,” noted the report.

“News” also contacted three different tobacco manufacturers for their views on the change, but clarification was not possible. To reduce tobacco consumption, the Ministry of Health organized a working meeting today in collaboration with the World Health Organization. In her opening remarks, the First Deputy Minister of Health, Lena Nanushyan, emphasized the importance of reaching consensus among EAEU countries on uniform packaging,” stated Zhanna Zakaryan, head of the Quality Infrastructure Development Department of the Ministry of Economy.

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