Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Tuesday that the government will not grant licenses for any investment in the production of electronic cigarettes in the country.
He made the statement during a meeting with Barros Miguel, president of the Association of Tobacco Industry in Cambodia, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
“Samdech Thipadei reiterated that the Royal Government of Cambodia will not allow any investment in the production of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in Cambodia,” said a statement by the prime minister’s spokesperson.
Samdech Thipadei is Hun Manet’s honorific title.
The prime minister emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts to prevent the import of illegal tobacco products and to raise public awareness about the health risks of tobacco and e-cigarette use.
Cambodia had banned the import, trade, and use of e-cigarettes and shisha since 2014, though illegal sales and imports had persisted.
The Ministry of Health had repeatedly warned of the dangers posed by e-cigarettes, highlighting their nicotine content, a highly addictive substance, and the associated health risks.
“E-cigarette users may face a high risk of lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and impaired brain development,” the ministry said.
It explained that e-cigarettes were battery-powered devices that heated a liquid into an aerosol, which users inhaled. (Xinhua/NAN)
