Last updated: September 21, 2020

Penalties

Activities / Violations
Entities That Can Be Held Responsible
Sanction(s)

Advertising and Promotion

Tobacco manufacturers, importers, and distributors; individuals or organizations that advertise tobacco products or support the advertisement of tobacco products
Fine, License suspension or revocation, Warning, Other

(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)

Enforcement Agency

Ministry of Health; Department of Sanitation and Health; Environmental Police Unit; Information, Culture, Tourism staff; Finance Department; Industry and Commerce Department

Analysis

The Tobacco Control Law imposes a duty upon "tobacco business operators," which is defined to include manufacturers, importers, and distributors, not to advertise tobacco products. Article 50 furthers holds liable any "individuals or organization that advertise tobacco products or support the advertisement of tobacco products"; therefore, advertising agencies may also be held responsible.

Agreement No. 1067 specifies five agencies that have a duty to conduct inspections on advertising bans, while Decree No. 369 states that the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Finance have authority to enforce advertising bans.

Individuals or organizations that violate the law will be warned for a first offense, fined 40 million kip for a second offense, and fined 80 million kip for each subsequent offense. In addition to a fine, third and subsequent offenses may be punishable by license suspension or revocation.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines in that it imposes increased penalties for repeat violations.

Sponsorship

Tobacco manufacturers, importers, and distributors
Fine, License suspension or revocation, Warning
Enforcement Agency

Ministry of Health; Department of Sanitation and Health; Environmental Police Unit; Information, Culture, Tourism staff; Finance Department; Industry and Commerce Department

Analysis

The Tobacco Control Law prohibits "tobacco business operators," which is defined to include manufacturers, importers and distributors, from providing sponsorship.

Individuals or organizations that violate the law will be warned for a first offense, fined 40 million kip for a second offense, and fined 80 million kip for each subsequent offense. In addition to a fine, third and subsequent offenses may be punishable by license suspension or revocation.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines in that it imposes increased penalties for repeat violations.