YEREVAN. – The justification that the nerves calm down when smoking, is simply a self-persuasion, psychologist Samvel Khudoyan stated during a press conference on Friday, that is, on the international day of fight against smoking.    

In his words, when people learn that they have cancer, they quit smoking on the very same day and do not have a tobacco addiction. “Ninety percent of us [in Armenia] are not aware of the consequences of smoking. Not to mention the fact that an unpleasant smell comes from you. [But] When you quit smoking, you understand that smoking was the greatest stupidity of your life,” Khudoyan added.    

Also, he noted that, in general, there is no fight against smoking in Armenia. “If you are a smoker, you are considered a second-class citizen in Europe, whereas here at us smoking is associated with being a ‘goodfella,’ and the more expensive his cigarette is, his reputation grows that much more,” the psychologist said, and added that the physicians and parents play a great role in the fight against smoking.