Tobacco Industry Has Grown Active in Our Country During This Difficult Period: Arsen Torosyan

The Minister of Health of Armenia, Arsen Torosyan, made the following post on his Facebook page:

“I would not want to address this issue during such a difficult period for our country, but I can’t help it. The tobacco industry, represented by a well-known international manufacturer attempting to ensnare all countries, has again become active in Armenia. It has intensified during this difficult time for our country. It dares to blackmail even a weakened, yet entirely sovereign state. The instrument of blackmail remains the same: an outdated record claiming the country will be destroyed if their vital interests are infringed upon. It is not even significant that it is their vital interests that lead to the deterioration of the health of the population, and consequently, the weakening and degradation of the economy.

The ever-encroaching industry finds the weak links necessary to promote blackmail in every country; however, surprises are also not lacking in this process. Regardless of the fact that in politics everything is possible, I find it astonishing that the chairman of the National Assembly's Health and Social Issues Committee can be a co-author of a legislation that contributes to the degradation of public health. It doesn't sit right in my mind. Could this not have been done by other MPs? Is it done specifically to underscore the omnipotence of the industry, especially during this difficult time? Or am I still too romantic in believing there are written and unwritten boundaries for various behaviors?

In any case, we have reached a point where the National Assembly must discuss the question of postponing several critical provisions of the law on "Reducing and Preventing Harm to Health from the Use of Tobacco Products and Their Substitutes." My impression is that this discussion will be formal because the blackmail seems to have worked. Otherwise, the issue wouldn’t have reached the agenda, given that it has been repeatedly proven that these provisions are essential for having healthier adolescents, teenagers, and generally a healthier population. This has been internationally proven and is also relevant for our country, which does not drastically differ from other nations trapped by the tobacco industry.

We will not hesitate to present our arguments and evidence to the members of the National Assembly once again, but we will also never forget who and how attempted to pull "chestnuts out of the fire" for our state during this difficult time.”