2024-04-20 18:50:30
As of March 2022, smoking was banned in all public catering facilities, even outdoor cafes. Of course, this decision received a lot of criticism, because it is not logical to ban smoking in outdoor areas. After the above decision, the word “ashtray” was forgotten in all public catering establishments of Armenia, but the smoking culture continues to this day. Very often we witness that people smoke in cafes and restaurants, using other devices instead of ashtrays. It turns out that this bill, as a measure to prohibit smoking, did not justify itself, but it brings huge sums to the state budget, “Hraparak” wrote.
The media has information that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued an order to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to fine several dozen food establishments on a daily basis.
Many of the policemen even feel uncomfortable entering food outlets and making businessmen and citizens the subject of fines, but what they have done is the prime minister’s order, they must fulfill it, fill the budget in order to receive “measly” salaries.
“Hraparak” sent a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to find out how many businessmen and how many citizens were fined for smoking in food establishments and in what amount.
In response to the request, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated: “In response to your 10.11.2023 In writing, we inform you that as of November 9, 2023, 9,106 administrative offense protocols were drawn up by the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs police services and divisions for committing an act provided for by Article 173.2 of the RA Criminal Code, of which 1,016 were committed in facilities and 7,602 in other places. 488 protocols were drawn up against the officials of the economic entity.”