Non-Smoking Country

Turkmenistan president outlaws all sale of tobacco products.

16:44 19 January 2016

It has been reported that the president of Turkmenistan has banned the sale of ALL tobacco products. Those who are caught selling cigarettes will be fined by up to £1,200.

 

Meanwhile, Chrono-TM, an independent website reporting on Turkmen affairs from outside the repressive nation's borders, have reported that contraband packets of cigarettes have made their way to the street charging smokers over £8 per pack.

 

The Turkmen media is totally controlled by the government and the country has been listed with the third worst press freedom in the world behind North Korea and Eritrea.

 

The country’s current president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow, is often seen enjoying healthsome outdoor activities such as cycling and fishing, and as such it seems that he does not think much of cigarettes.

 

Earlier this month, the country’s head of State Service, Atadurd Odmanov, was stripped of the rank of Colonel after he failed to encourage smokers in the country to quit.