Armenia Increases Fines for Non-Compliant Tobacco Products
The Armenian government has approved amendments to the “Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Armenia” to increase fines for selling tobacco products that do not meet the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) standards. The decision comes as the transitional period for compliance with EAEU technical regulations, which began in 2016, is set to end on January 1, 2024.
Currently, both old format packages that only comply with national standards and those meeting EAEU requirements are being sold in the market. The government’s decision follows inspections by Armenia’s Market Control Inspection Body, which filed protocols against several manufacturers and importers, resulting in administrative penalties.
Last year, Babken Tunyan, a deputy from the “Civil Contract” faction and Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, highlighted the discrepancies between Armenian legislation and EAEU regulations. While the National Assembly passed a law requiring cigarette packs to be white and without marketing designations two to three years ago, EAEU technical regulations mandate the placement of images depicting diseases and tobacco harm warnings.
As a result, Armenian stores currently stock both white packs and those with warning images and marketing elements. The increased fines aim to ensure compliance with EAEU standards across the tobacco sector.
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