The Cambodia Movement for Health (CMH) explained that the Ministry of Health had stated that the warnings should be changed every two years. In line with this, tobacco companies were meant to change the health warning labels in December 2020, which did not happen.
To this effect, last month the CMH reiterated that all cigarette packs must carry the new text and pictures as determined by the ministry, as of August. “If the picture isn’t changed, the effectiveness of the health warning will be reduced because people have become accustomed to the same picture. So, the Ministry of Health decided that the health warning must be changed every two years,” said the CMH.
The local e-cigarette ban
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) has recently instructed all relevant ministries and local institutions, to set in place adequate enforcement strategies pertaining to the ban on the use and commercialization of heated tobacco products (HTPs) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
The NACD has reported receiving information that there are still many locals using and selling the products. The agency who banned the products in 2014, said that these illicit activities will only feed the blackmarket.
To this effect, the NACD is urging all ministries and other relevant entities, to take the immediate action required to enforce the ban. “All forms of trafficking, trading and importation of HTPs must be stopped and information on import restrictions must be disseminated to all vendors and the public,” reads a directive by the agency.
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