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.

Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
As cigarette markets face long-term pressure, major tobacco companies are increasingly turning to nicotine pouches in search of growth beyond combustible tobacco. Reuters has examined whether nicotine pouches can become the next strategic growth platform for companies including Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco. PMI strengthened its position through the acquisition of Swedish Match and its ZYN brand, while BAT and JTI continue expanding their own nicotine pouch portfolios. The category has gained attention because of its smoke-free, device-free format, but regulation, youth-use concerns and market scale will determine whether it can become a long-term growth engine.
Regulations
Aug.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
How Large Is France’s Off-Channel Tobacco Market? Logista Says It Has Become Structural, While the Official Estimate Is 17.7% and Some Industry Studies Put It Above 50%
Logista France says tobacco consumption outside France’s official tobacconist network has become a large and structural market phenomenon, but official and industry estimates differ sharply. France’s TAFE study estimates that 17.7% of tobacco consumption escaped domestic taxation in 2023, with most of that volume attributed to cross-border purchasing rather than street sales. Some industry studies use broader off-channel definitions and put the figure above 50%. Meanwhile, French Customs seized 547.94 tonnes of tobacco in 2025, up 12%, showing continued pressure from illicit trade.
Sep.04
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom heated-tobacco volumes rose 43.5% in the first half of 2026, while combustibles still represented about 97% of its tobacco volume and remained the main earnings base. In Japan, reduced-risk products now account for 48.7% of industry shipments, shifting competition from category adoption towards brand share, pricing and consumer retention. JT’s results offer a revealing case of a traditional tobacco company pursuing a prolonged, dual-track transformation.
JTI
Jul.30
China Tobacco Regulator Deputy Head Visits Laos as Both Sides Strengthen Cooperation on Illegal Tobacco Trade
China Tobacco Regulator Deputy Head Visits Laos as Both Sides Strengthen Cooperation on Illegal Tobacco Trade
China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that Liu Sanjiang, deputy head and Party group member of China’s tobacco regulator, led a delegation to Laos from July 31 to Aug. 2, 2026, for discussions with Lao authorities on combating cross-border illegal tobacco trade. The two sides discussed areas including law enforcement cooperation, information sharing and efforts to address tobacco-related illegal activities such as counterfeiting and smuggling. The visit highlights cooperation between Chinese and Lao authorities on illicit tobacco control.
News
Aug.05
Product | R.J. Reynolds Launches Four Flavored Vuse Pro Pods for Vuse Alto Devices in U.S.
Product | R.J. Reynolds Launches Four Flavored Vuse Pro Pods for Vuse Alto Devices in U.S.
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company has introduced Vuse Pro prefilled pods in Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint in selected U.S. states. Vuse’s U.S. website says the pods are intended for use with existing Vuse Alto devices. Each contains 2.0 mL of e-liquid at 5.0% nicotine by weight, uses nicotine salts and is offered in two- and four-pod packs. Reynolds said the rollout includes mandatory ID scanning for every purchase, purchase limits, stronger retailer-accountability requirements and strict age-restricted marketing standards. The four pods have not received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Sep.10
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT's VELO Partners With McLaren F1 Team for Global Fan Campaign to Expand Nicotine Pouch Brand Reach
BAT-owned nicotine pouch brand VELO and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have launched a global fan engagement campaign offering motorsport enthusiasts opportunities to win exclusive team-related experiences. The initiative aims to connect racing culture, fan interaction and VELO’s brand experience across global markets. The partnership reflects BAT’s broader strategy of expanding modern nicotine product brands beyond traditional tobacco categories through lifestyle and cultural marketing.
Jul.23