Number of tobacco-addicts is most concerning
More than 5 million people die every year from tobacco use in the world with tobacco being the leading cause of death.
Many spend more on tobacco consumption than on their most basic necessities, such as education, food, shelter, and health care.
Most tobacco-addicts die at the age of 36-69, after using tobacco for 25-30 years.
May 31 marks World No Tobacco Day. All member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) mark the event carrying the slogan "Sex and Tobacco." The Armenian Ministry of Health has joined the initiative.
It is estimated that 27 percent of Armenia's adult population are regular smokers with 52% being male smokers. Statistics revealed that 57.7% of men above 20 are heavy smokers in Armenia.
According to the RA Health Ministry, the high-rate of tobacco addiction among men results in a number of tobacco-related disease, among them cancer, heart attack, etc.
With women, smoking has a different picture with tobacco use being higher in the capital than in marzes.
The government has affirmed an anti-smoking program which is to be implemented in 2010-2015. The program aims to protect people from the side-effects of smoking and from adverse social and economic consequences and promote greater tobacco control.
