Cambodia cracks down on online sales of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco

In Cambodia, a major government offensive has helped to partially counter the online sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco, but has struggled to restrict advertising for these products.

The importation and sale of e-cigarettes has been banned in Cambodia since 2014. The importation and sale of heated tobacco devices was banned in March 2021.[1]. Despite these provisions, these types of products were promoted and offered for sale on major social networks, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. The Cambodian authorities have therefore launched, since June 26, several waves of seizures of the materials offered for sale.

Authorities' offensive against social networks

These police operations, conducted by anti-drug squads, led to the arrest of around sixty people and the seizure of several thousand devices (electronic cigarettes, disposable electronic cigarettes, electronic hookahs, refills, chargers)[2]Large-scale control operations were also deployed in both private and public schools, with searches of students' bags and prevention sessions on the dangers of vaping and heated tobacco.[3].

However, the actors of the non-governmental organization Cambodia Movement for Health (CMH) were able to establish that this major operation had only a temporary effect; sales of these electronic devices gradually resumed as the police operations receded, but in a more discreet way, for example by advertising on Facebook and organizing sales via the Telegram network.[4]The CMH also noted that advertising for these devices was still active but remained more cautious, and that many social media accounts preferred to stop selling these products.

At the end of a workshop held on August 16 by the anti-drug brigades, the cybercrime department and other relevant institutions, the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) reaffirmed its intention to continue the actions undertaken by locating the distribution and advertising points, and ordering those involved to cease their activities. In most cases, the offenders were only given a warning, with the signing of a contract ordering them not to do it again.

Products perceived as dangerous to health

In line with the authorities on the subject, Dr Mom Kong, director of the CMH, expressed alarm at the rapid growth in the use of these electronic devices among young people. He stressed that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products were addictive and harmful, especially for the youngest. The Ministry of Health highlighted the complications and pathologies likely to be caused in the long term by e-cigarettes, particularly on the brain (anxiety, brain development, memory and learning disorders), the lungs and the heart. It also considers that they could lead young people to become regular tobacco smokers, or even users of illicit drugs.

These positions are shared by the many countries that have already banned e-cigarettes and largely echo those of the World Health Organization (WHO). In Cambodia, the claim that e-cigarettes could be smoking cessation aids is considered exaggerated and misleading. It is also contrary to the provisions adopted in the country relating to the presentation of these products.

The will to apply the law

The online promotion, advertising and sale of tobacco and other nicotine products are activities that all countries face. When prohibited in some countries, they have difficulty regulating this parallel online market, particularly when the sites or social media accounts are based abroad.

The Cambodian example shows, however, that a state wishing to give itself the means to apply the laws it enacts can take strong measures to counter this trade, despite the limits of this exercise. As with the repression of any illegal activity, it is never certain that a law can be fully applied, but it remains the responsibility of each state to implement the necessary means to ensure that it is respected.

Keywords: Cambodia, electronic cigarette, heated tobacco, social networks, online sales, advertising

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] Ban on heated tobacco in Cambodia, Generation Without Tobacco, published March 24, 2022, consulted August 24, 2022. [2] Bunthoeurn O, Sixty detained, warned over sales of 'vapes' or e-cigarettes, The Phnom Penh News, published August 23, 2022, accessed August 24, 2022. [3] Dara V, Government's crackdown on vapes grows in scope, strength, The Phnom Penh News, published July 7, 2022, accessed August 24, 2022. [4] Kimmarita L, Vape advertising continues 'cautiously' after crackdown, The Phnom Penh News, published August 17, 2022, accessed August 24, 2022. National Committee Against Smoking |