National No Tobacco Day marked on October 12
On October 12, 2004, Armenia joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aims to protect present and future generations from the consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. October 12 has been marked in Armenia as National No Tobacco Day to combat tobacco since 2008. It is interesting to mention that the number of smokers has reduced by 8-10 percent among men since the country joined the convention. Anyway, high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by smoking create serious health and economic problems. The World Health Organization estimates that one person dies every six seconds due to tobacco-caused diseases. There has been downward trend in smoking rates among men in the past ten years. The prevalence of smoking in women is higher in the capital than in provinces or rural areas. Teenagers start smoking at 16-17 when they start to lead a more independent life.
