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On October 14, the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Health Care met with the representatives of the WHO Armenia Office and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) Andrew Black and Rodrigo Santos Feijo.

The members of the Committee Lusine Badalyan, Vanik Ohanyan, as well as the Director of the Health National Institute of the RA Ministry of Health Alexander Bazarchyan, the Chief Organizer of the Public Health Division of the RA Ministry of Health Mariam Mnatsakanyan and the Representative of the WHO Armenia Office Henrik Khachatryan.

The guests congratulated Hripsime Hunanyan on being elected Chair of the Committee, wishing her effective work.

The issues regarding the fight against tobacco, the illegal circulation of tobacco, the circulation and sale of new tobacco products, and tax policy were on the discussion agenda.

The Representative of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Andrew Black noted that Armenia recorded successes in the fight against tobacco and has effective experience. According to him, the parliament and the Committee have significant role in the measures taken in fighting tobacco.

Hripsime Hunanyan presented to the guests the priority measures and programs implemented within the framework of the fight against tobacco.

Reference was made to the measures being taken in the member countries of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as the exchange of international experience.

The development of specialized services aimed at promoting cessation of tobacco use and supporting the fight against smoking, as well as the development of scientifically substantiated medical and educational programs, was emphasized. The necessity to review the tax policy implemented towards tobacco products was underscored.