Concerned over the rising use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) among Cambodian youth and the health risks these products pose, the Ministry of Education on Friday issued guidelines to prevent the sale and use of these products in public and private educational institutions.
According to the ministry’s directive issued by Minister Hang Chuon Naron, the guidelines aim to prevent the use of e-cigarettes and HTPs as they are dangerous to people’s health and pose the risk of heart and lung disease and the long-term impact on brain development in children and youths.
The ministry has issued to all educational units under the ministry in the capital and provinces in public and private institutions guidelines for educators and students about the effects of e-cigarettes and HTPs.
The Ministry strictly prohibits the use, distribution and advertising of these products inside and around schools and campuses.
The Ministry also instructed all relevant educational units to collaborate with students’ parents, guardians, educators and students to identify e-cigarette and HTPs distribution sites and report the location to authorities for legal action.
The Ministry of Health spokesman Ly Sovann said on Friday e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, which is highly addictive, and is seriously detrimental to people’s health.
“The Ministry of Health has banned the import and use of such products such as hookah pipes and e-cigarettes in Cambodia,” he said.
Mom Kong, director of the Cambodia Movement for Health (CMH), said that sales of e-cigarettes and hookah pipes targets the nine to 25 age group.
He said that the Ministry of Health issued a directive to ban the import and use of these products in 2014.
He added that although the government placed restrictions on these products in Cambodia, they are used openly by students and other young Cambodians.
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea – Khmer Times – 2022-06-26.
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