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WHO Awards Turkmen President For Antismoking Campaign


The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov for his contributions to the fight against smoking.

Margaret Chan, the WHO's director-general, handed a special medal to Berdymukhammedov at a ceremony in Ashgabat on June 11.

She hailed the Turkmen leader for his efforts to curb the use of tobacco.

Turkmenistan was one of the first post-Soviet countries to crack down on smoking.

The government introduced hefty fines for smoking in public places in 2000.

According to the WHO, the cost of a pack of cigarettes in Turkmenistan is $5 to $6, which is the highest among all of the post-Soviet countries.


Based on reports by turkemistan.gov.tm and mir24.tv

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