Last updated: August 2, 2022

Summary

Cambodia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 13, 2006.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor workplaces and indoor public places except for airports, which may have designated smoking rooms. All public transportation is smoke free. Several outdoor locations are smoke free, including anywhere on the grounds of health facilities, educational facilities, nurseries, public parks, religious facilities, museums, and historical and cultural facilities.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, the display of tobacco products is allowed at point of sale with the restriction that only one pack of each brand may be displayed. In addition, some indirect forms of promotion, such as retailer incentive programs, may escape the ban. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

All tobacco product packaging must display a pictorial health warning covering 55 percent of the front and back panels of the package. There are two authorized warnings, which must be printed simultaneously in equal numbers and updated once per year. Misleading terms, such as "light," "mild," "vitamins," and "caffeine," are prohibited on tobacco packaging but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers, and symbols) is not prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products; however, no regulations detailing the disclosure requirement have been issued.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and the internet; and in educational facilities, playgrounds, healthcare institutions, cultural facilities, and other specified locations. The law prohibits the sale of small packets of cigarettes. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale and use of e-cigarettes are prohibited. There is no restriction on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale and use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) are prohibited. The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and these restrictions are interpreted to apply to tobacco inserts. It is uncertain how regulators are interpreting advertising, promotion and sponsorship restrictions for devices.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Law on Tobacco Control, issued in 2015, is the primary piece of legislation governing tobacco control policy. Sub-Decree No. 43.ANK.BK on Measures for the Banning of Smoking or Blowing the Smoke of Tobacco Products at Workplaces and Public Places was issued under the Law on Tobacco Control and regulates smoking in indoor workplaces, public places, public transport, and some outdoor places. Sub-Decree No. 149.ANKR.BK on Printing of Health Warning in Khmer Language and Pictorial on Tobacco Product Packages regulates health warnings on tobacco product packaging, including penalties for violations. Prakas No. 013 SBK on Legal Procedure for Printing of Health Warning in Khmer Language and Pictorial on Tobacco Product Packages was issued by the Ministry of Health and contains further details regarding the rotation of health warnings.

One sub-decree and one prakas regulating tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship that were issued prior to the Law on Tobacco Control remain in effect, pursuant to the Law on Tobacco Control, because they have not been replaced by new implementing legislation. Sub-Decree No. 35.ANKR.BK on Advertising of Tobacco Products regulates tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Ministry of Health Prakas No. 290.OR.BOR.SOR on Measures for the Banning of Tobacco Product Advertising regulates point of sale advertising and product display.

Circular No. 001/14 Sor.Nor.No.NACD on Measures to Prevent and Terminate Consumption, Sale, and Import of Shisha and E-Cigarettes is the primary legal measure prohibiting the sale, import, and use of e-cigarettes and Circular No. 001/21 S.N.NA.CH.B.KH.NH on Measurement to Prevent and Avoid Importation, Trafficking, Sale, and Use of Heated Tobacco Products is the primary legal measure banning the sale, import, and use of HTPs.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.