Cambodia Promotes Tobacco-Free Sports Venues at SEA Games

Mar.20.2023
Cambodia Promotes Tobacco-Free Sports Venues at SEA Games
Cambodia to promote tobacco-free sports venues at SEA Games, banning the use, sponsorship and promotion of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Recently, according to a report by the Khmer Times, Cambodia will promote the principle of a smoke-free sports event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism announced that the use, sponsorship, distribution and promotion of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes will be prohibited at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.


Cigarettes and electronic cigarettes are both prohibited from entering event venues.


The upcoming Southeast Asian Games will be hosted by Cambodia from May 5th to 17th. The authorities in Cambodia have implemented several bans, including prohibiting tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in all dining areas within the national sports stadium, sports arenas, and sports delegation premises.


The Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee and the ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee in Cambodia have stated that they will not accept any sponsorship from tobacco or e-cigarette companies.


The statement reads that smoke-free sports venues are implemented to protect players, coaches, spectators, and volunteers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.


The ban ensures a high-quality environment for all participants. It also encourages smokers to quit, prevents non-smokers, especially young people, from smoking, and advocates for a widespread culture of no tobacco.


Smoking ban has a 20-year history.


The implementation of the smoke-free policy first began in 2003 at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games hosted by Vietnam.


Since then, the Southeast Asian Games and other major international sporting events have adhered to the same principle of promoting a smoke-free environment.


The statement also indicated that the host country adhered to a smoke-free sports policy.


Cambodia's Smoking Ban Regulations.


According to 2FIRSTS, Cambodia has maintained a crackdown on new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes. The Cambodian authorities issued bans on e-cigarettes in 2014 and 2021.


In February 2014, the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) in Cambodia issued an immediate ban on the import, use, and sale of hookah tobacco, pipes, and e-cigarette products nationwide.


However, the ban did not meet the government's expectations. In March 2022, the Cambodian National Anti-Drug Authority issued another ban, prohibiting the delivery and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products (HTP) across the country.


Related Reading:


The smoking rate among Cambodian youth has decreased from 32% to 28%. The authorities have twice issued bans on e-cigarettes.


Cambodian police increase regulation of electronic cigarettes.


Reference:


Cambodia has announced that it will provide tobacco-free sports facilities during the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The move is part of the country's efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent tobacco-related diseases among athletes and spectators. The SEA Games will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in May 2023, and will feature various sports events contested by athletes from Southeast Asian countries.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Australia’s One Nation Proposes 75% Tobacco Tax Cut, Says Lower Prices Could Hit Illicit Market
Australia’s One Nation Proposes 75% Tobacco Tax Cut, Says Lower Prices Could Hit Illicit Market
Australia’s One Nation party has proposed cutting tobacco excise by 75%, arguing that lower legal cigarette prices could narrow the gap with illicit tobacco and reduce demand for black-market products. The proposal comes as Australia continues expanding enforcement against illicit tobacco supply chains through border controls, retail inspections and organised-crime investigations. Supporters argue high taxes have contributed to illicit-market growth, while opponents warn that lower tobacco prices could undermine public-health goals. The proposal is a party policy position and has not been adopted by the Australian government.
Aug.18
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said legal tobacco sales in the country have fallen by more than half over the past decade, with sales declining more than 20% in 2025 compared with the previous year. She warned that the decline may not fully reflect lower smoking rates, as increased availability of illicit cigarettes could also be contributing. The government said it would continue strengthening tobacco and vape retail enforcement while monitoring the impact of illicit tobacco on public health and tax revenue.
Aug.26
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
The Bombay High Court has ruled that airport duty-free shops are not exempt from India's domestic regulatory laws merely because they operate beyond the customs barrier, leaving in place a sales halt covering ZYN and FOX nicotine pouches at Mumbai's international airport. The court, however, did not determine that the products necessarily qualify as "drugs" under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The retailers have four weeks to submit product information to the appropriate authorities, including CDSCO, which must complete its review within 30 days of receiving the submissions.
Sep.24
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
ITC Infotech has expanded its multi-year strategic technology partnership with British American Tobacco (BAT), providing technology services across Poland, Romania and India while continuing to support BAT's newly launched Future Capabilities Centre in India and existing technology hubs in Malaysia and Mexico. The companies said the agreement will focus on AI-enabled innovation, technology capability building and greater operational efficiency. The partnership also aligns with BAT's broader Fit2Win transformation programme, under which the group is expanding the use of external technology and business-services partners to simplify its global operating model.
Aug.13
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
The UK Department of Health and Social Care published new guidance on Aug. 11 outlining the next phase of retail rules under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which will take effect on Oct. 29, 2026. The measures extend the minimum age of sale of 18 to all vaping and consumer nicotine products and restrict proxy purchasing, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts. Relevant offences in England, Wales and Scotland may carry a £200 fixed penalty notice, while persistent offenders can face temporary sales bans.
Aug.12