Synopsis: The strategy for 2027–2031 must aim to cut smoking, curb illegal and counterfeit products, address the rise of e-cigarette use among youth, and expand public awareness to protect public health.
Health Minister Cheang Ra has called for the development of a tobacco control strategy for 2027–2031 with the goal of reducing tobacco use by 30%.
The directive was issued during a meeting of the Tobacco Product Control Committee in Phnom Penh on Monday to review progress, strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation, and set priorities.
Focus areas include reducing tobacco use, protecting the public from secondhand smoke, tackling illegal and counterfeit tobacco products, and preventing the spread of electronic cigarettes, which pose risks to youth and public health.
“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.
He added that stronger tobacco control efforts are essential to protecting lives, noting that government measures aim not only to reduce smoking rates but also to shield the population, especially children, youth, and women, from non-communicable diseases such as cancer and strokes.
Ra said effective action requires multi-sectoral cooperation, adding that the Ministry of Health cannot act alone. Ministries, institutions, local authorities, schools, communities, and the broader public must all contribute.
He called for expanded education and awareness campaigns, particularly targeting students and young people, who are increasingly vulnerable to new tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
He urged stricter enforcement of laws, including the tobacco advertising ban, mandatory health warnings on cigarette packaging, and smoking prohibitions in public places, along with stronger crackdowns on illegal and counterfeit tobacco products.
The minister said the 2027–2031 strategy must be grounded in evidence with a target of reducing tobacco use by 30% by 2030.
Nuth Sambath, a health science expert at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, welcomed the move as a positive step towards reducing tobacco use, which harms both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Sambath added that despite laws banning smoking in public places, enforcement remains weak, with many people—especially youth—continuing to smoke openly. He called for stricter enforcement, saying individuals under 18 should not be allowed to smoke.
He suggested designating smoking areas to prevent widespread public smoking and urged stronger respect for the law.
“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,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, Cambodia has made significant progress under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and MPOWER measures, including mandatory health warnings on tobacco packaging, smoking ban in work and public spaces, and advertising restrictions.
About 1.6 million Cambodians still use tobacco, underscoring the need for sustained, coordinated, and effective action.
