Pashinyan recalls staunch anti-smoking healthcare minister while cleaning street littered with cigarette filters

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan doesn’t mind raising tobacco prices, however, he underscores that if done, it should be done gradually.

Pashinyan was participating in the nationwide community service day in Yerevan, when he was reminded of the staunch anti-smoking healthcare minister Arsen Torosyan when he was cleaning a street littered with cigarette filters.

“Now he must be watching live and saying there you go, I am telling you ban smoking, there you go, go and clean it,” Pashinyan jokingly said.

Asked by a reporter whether he opposes the proposed raise in tobacco prices, Pashinyan said:

“No, I don’t mind the tobacco prices to be increased. Tobacco prices will rise. It’s about the pace. Mr. Torosyan wants the price to be raised instantly, however this process must be done maximally gradually and in balance,” he said.

“I have my opinion, he has his opinion,” Pashinyan added.