A new directive from the Royal Government of Cambodia will protect children and safeguard public health by expanding and strengthening tobacco control laws to prohibit import, distribution, sale, advertising, use, possession, production and storage of all electronic smoking devices.
The directive builds on previous laws prohibiting the sale, import and use of electronic nicotine products, plus shisha. The policy supports the country’s goal of promoting good health for sustainable socioeconomic development and building high-quality human capital. The government cited the rapid rise in electronic cigarette use among children and youth as a serious threat to health, education and social stability, noting that these products fuel nicotine addiction, serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking and increase the burden of noncommunicable diseases in Cambodia.
Cambodia has steadily strengthened its control of emerging tobacco and nicotine products. After prohibiting the sale, import and use of shisha and electronic cigarettes in 2014, the government expanded the directive to include heated tobacco products in 2021. In June 2025, it further restricted investment in these products. The new directive, signed by Prime Minister H.E. Hun Manet in October 2025, unifies and reinforces these measures with a ban on advertising, promotion, distribution and possession, with stricter enforcement across ministries and subnational authorities.
This directive was developed through strong collaboration among government ministries, with support from Vital Strategies. The Ministry of Health’s National Center for Health Promotion served as the technical focal point, coordinating inputs, preparing communication materials and ensuring a unified, evidence-based position during inter-ministerial discussions.
Since 2013, Vital Strategies has partnered with Cambodia’s Ministry of Health to advance tobacco control. Key achievements in 2015 included the ratification of the Tobacco Control Law, introduction of 55% pictorial health warnings, and development of sub-decrees on smoke-free environments and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. In 2017, the Subnational Government Alliance for Tobacco Control was established to strengthen local implementation, based on a regional Asia Pacific alliance that Vital Strategies helped to establish in 2016. The organization continues to provide technical and financial assistance to enhance legislation, expand smoke-free areas, strengthen taxation, counter industry interference and broaden cessation services, including integrating cessation into primary care and developing Cambodia’s first quit line.
“Cambodia’s strengthened directive on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is a powerful step to protect public health and demonstrates strong regional and global leadership,” said Dr. Tara Singh Bam, Regional Director for Tobacco Control at Vital Strategies Asia Pacific. “Vital Strategies is proud to support Cambodia in advancing MPOWER measures, expanding cessation services and safeguarding the next generation from nicotine addiction and its harmful health effects.”
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use in Cambodia causes around 15,000 deaths each year and results in an economic loss of 2.7 trillion Khmer riels (US$663 million) annually. The 2023 STEPS Survey shows that 35.5% of men and 2.4% of women aged 18–69 use tobacco, while the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey reports 3.5% of youths (4.4% of boys and 2.8% of girls) currently use tobacco products, including heated tobacco. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for stronger prevention and control measures.