At Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting of the government, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recalled that the anti-tobacco law has entered into force in Armenia as of January 1.

Minister of health Anahit Avanesyan stated that 27.9% of the population over the age of 16 in the country smokes, and 51% of them are men.

"The ban on public display of tobacco products, their belongings, substitutes in shops and public catering establishments—except for duty-free shops at the airport—comes into force [in Armenia] as of January 1," the minister said, adding that the ban on their advertising will also come into force.

PM Pashinyan, for his part, said that in fact, the pack of cigarettes will visually disappear in Armenian public life.

"I urge our children—and not only children—to ban smoking at homes, too" the premier said.

He added that as of March, smoking will be banned in all enclosed spaces in Armenia, including open-air cafés.