Cambodia strengthens its total ban on e-cigarettes and shisha to protect youth

On October 21, 2025, the Cambodian government issued a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet to ensure the strict enforcement and regular monitoring of the ban on e-cigarettes and hookahs, which has been in place in Cambodia since 2014. This measure follows an increase in the use of these products, particularly among children and adolescents, and aims to protect public health and maintain safety and order in schools and educational institutions. The directive reiterates that the importation, distribution, sale, advertising, use, possession, production, and storage of these products are strictly prohibited.

Measures at all levels of the state to enforce the existing bans

The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to publish guidelines aimed at informing, preventing, limiting and prohibiting the use of these products in schools, in particular to ensure compliance with the ban on the use of these devices and substances in and around the premises of public and private educational establishments, teacher training institutes, dormitories, community learning centers, gymnasiums, sports facilities, sports training centers and venues for sports competition.

The Ministry of Health must also publish guidelines aimed at raising public awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and new nicotine products on health and other toxic consequences of these products.

The ministry is also responsible for cooperating with relevant departments to conduct inspections and ensure compliance with the law. The directive requires the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Information, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to take immediate measures to prevent the importation, distribution, advertising, sale, and storage of these items.

All ministries and state institutions must prohibit civil servants, police officers, and military personnel, as well as contract workers under their authority, from using such devices.[1].

Government employees using these products will receive a verbal warning and their devices will be confiscated. Repeat offenses will result in a written warning and a cease-and-desist order.

If vendors are caught distributing, selling, storing, advertising or promoting these products, they will also receive a written warning, as well as confiscation and suspension of their business registration certificate, license or operating permit, regardless of the type of business or service.

A regulatory context marked by the development of dangerous and easily accessible nicotine products

The Ministry of Health stresses that e-cigarettes contain high doses of nicotine and can be mixed with other substances, including other drugs such as cannabis, while the hookah, like any tobacco product, is particularly toxic – it can cause serious lung disease, lung, stomach and bladder cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain development damage, infertility and risk of premature birth.

According to Hun Manet, the government has observed widespread use of electronic devices and chemicals for smoking and hookah use among children and youth in the Kingdom of Cambodia. This has a significant impact on social order and public health, particularly on the health of students and educational staff. Furthermore, the use of these products can serve as a gateway to the consumption of other illegal drugs, as electronic devices, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and vaping products, can be used to smoke other drugs.[2].

Although the government reaffirmed in May 2025 that no investment in e-cigarettes, even for export, would be accepted, Kong Mom, director general of the Cambodian Movement for Health, stated that e-cigarettes have been distributed in Cambodia for a long time. He noted an increase in social media advertising targeting young Cambodians since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. His research identified at least 688 active pages and groups on Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, and Instagram promoting and distributing e-cigarettes and related products. Some had been created as early as mid-October 2025.[3].

Mom therefore suggested that the government strengthen legal measures aimed at eliminating vaping in Cambodia. He insisted that The most effective way to prevent Cambodian youth and children from using electronic cigarettes, which affect their brain and physical development, is to do everything possible to ban them.

For its part, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) welcomed the measure, which the health organization said demonstrated Cambodia's leadership and commitment to protecting its citizens' health from the tobacco industry. CTFK has been particularly focused on the promotional strategies employed by manufacturers of new tobacco and nicotine products in Southeast Asia and around the world. Philip Morris International (PMI), British American Tobacco (BAT), and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) market heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes through social media, music events, and brand partnerships designed to reach the widest possible audience and create addiction among young people.[4].

Apart from Cambodia, only a few countries in the region like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei have decided for the time being to crack down firmly on the use and marketing of electronic cigarettes.

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[1]Niem Chheng, Cambodia introduces new anti-vape measuresAsia News Network, published October 23, 2025, accessed November 3, 2025

[2]Meas Molika, PM Launches Nationwide Crackdown on E-Cigarettes and ShishaKiripost, published on October 23, 2025, accessed on November 3, 2025

[3]Torn Vibol, Vapes and shisha go up in smokeKhmer Times, published October 24, 2025, accessed November 3, 2025

[4]Smita Baruah, Cambodia's Latest Action on Heated Tobacco Products, E-cigarettes Will Protect Future Generations from AddictionCampaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, published October 29, 2025, accessed November 3, 2025

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