Health Warning Changes on Cigarette Packs

For the two people amongst you who do not smoke, here's the story:

Until now the notices on health covered only 4 percent of space on cigarette packs. In one of its last sessions, the executive made amendments in the law on technical procedures of cigarettes requiring to provide 30 percent of space to health precautions on cigarette packs.

The law will be effective as of February 1, 2008. The packs will also contain information about people who are prohibited to smoke. Cigarette producers have come up with no suggestions on the innovation and did not complain about 30 percent space.

Something tells me this will have zero impact on either tobacco sales or tobacco deaths. Moving along.

Source: Panorama

Armenia's Richest Men!

There is some controversy about the list of Armenia's Top 10 richest people that is to be published by Forbes Armenia, but something tells me it is pretty close, especially the top spot. Only the net worths of two people are given: Tsarukian at $400-500 million and Sargsyan at about $150 million.

I will be doing individual profiles of some of these people later on, so keep reading the blog. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!

1. Gagik Tsarukian - Businessman

Companies: Multi Leon - Kotayk Abovyan Beer Factory, Abovyan Plant of Measuring Equipment, Yerevan Chemical Drug Company, Mek Furniture Network, Aviaservice, Multi Stone Stone Processing Company, Yerevan Ararat Brandy, Wine and Vodka Factory.

2. Armen Avetisyan - Chairman of the State Customs Committee.

Fact: Admitted all the country's big importers are his friends.

3. Mikael Baghdasarov - Businessman

Companies: Mika Corporation - Armsavingsbank, Armavia Airlines, Mika Cement Plant, Mika Limited oil trading company.

4. Hrant Vardanyan - Businessman

Companies: Grand Holding - Grand Tobacco, Grand Candy

5. Khachatur Sukiasyan & Family - Businessman

Companies: Various.

6. Yervand Zakharyan - Mayor of Yerevan


7. Robert Kocharyan - President of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: It is known that Kocharyan was "elected" in 2003 with unfair means.

8. Serge Sargsyan - Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: Once "Head of Propaganda and Agitation Division of the Stepanakert City Communist Party Committee."

9. Andranik Manukyan - Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia


10. David Harutyunyan - Republic of Armenia Minister of Justice


Well, there you have it! Of importance, the majority of the people on this list are government officials.

If you liked this post, consider Digging it up!

Sources: ArmeniaPedia, and the original Forbes list.