By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Policy push: Cambodia drafting 2027–2031 tobacco strategy targeting 30% reduction
- Youth focus: Officials flag rising e-cigarette use among young people
- Enforcement gap: Experts say weak enforcement continues to undermine existing laws
Cambodia is moving to tighten its tobacco control framework, with officials targeting a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2030 as part of a new national strategy.
Cheang Ra has led the development of a 2027–2031 tobacco control plan to reduce smoking rates, curb illicit trade and address the growing use of e-cigarettes among youth (vaping has been banned in Cambodia since 2014). The directive was issued during a meeting of the Tobacco Product Control Committee in Phnom Penh, where officials reviewed progress and outlined priorities for the next phase of regulation.
“Tobacco control is the responsibility of all sectors and society as a whole. We must work together to protect children, youth, and citizens from the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes, and build a smoke-free, healthy, and safe future for Cambodia,” Ra said.
The strategy is expected to focus on multiple pressure points across the market, including reducing overall consumption, strengthening protections against secondhand smoke, and cracking down on illegal and counterfeit tobacco products.
Officials also raised concerns about next-generation products, according to local media. The rise of e-cigarette use—particularly among younger populations—has become a central policy issue, with authorities warning of public health risks and gaps in awareness.
Ra emphasized that enforcement and education will be critical to achieving the government’s goals. He called for stricter enforcement of existing measures, including bans on tobacco advertising, mandatory health warnings on packaging, and restrictions on smoking in public places.
He also urged expanded public awareness campaigns, particularly targeting students and young people, who are increasingly exposed to newer nicotine products. Ra said that effective tobacco control cannot be handled by the health ministry alone.
He called for broader coordination among government agencies, schools, local authorities, and communities, stressing that a multi-sector approach will be required to drive meaningful change.
The push comes as Cambodia continues to align with global tobacco-control frameworks. According to the Ministry of Health, the country has made progress under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including implementing health warnings, establishing smoke-free public spaces, and imposing advertising restrictions.
Still, challenges remain. Roughly 1.6 million Cambodians still use tobacco, underscoring the scale of the task ahead. Nuth Sambath, a health science expert at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the new strategy is a positive step but warned that enforcement remains inconsistent.
“We have not strictly enforced the rules on smokers in public places, even though the law provides for it. We welcome the government’s efforts to reduce tobacco use by 30% by 2030,” Sambath said.
He added that smoking—particularly among youth—remains visible in public spaces despite existing bans and called for stronger compliance measures, including restricting access to those under 18. Sambath also suggested designated smoking areas as a way to better manage public use and reinforce broader restrictions.
