As the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) in Cambodia calls on authorities to increase pressure on suppliers and sellers, the ban on importing and distributing electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) is gaining momentum.
The Secretary-General of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), Meas Vyrith, stated yesterday that the distribution and sales of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) have sharply declined since the authorities began cracking down on them. Vyrith added that electronic cigarettes and HTP pose significant health risks, particularly to young people and can lead to drug addiction.
He said, "I believe that it is not difficult for authorities to crack down and stop the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes, but we do not have laws to prevent the sale or distribution of these products." He added, "If authorities cooperate and demonstrate their commitment to crackdown on HTP through border inspections to prevent these products from entering Cambodia, perhaps people will no longer use electronic cigarettes and HTP in the future.
General Vyrith added that these products are mainly used in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh. Mom Kong, the director of the Cambodian Health Movement, stated yesterday that electronic cigarettes contain nicotine and many other substances that are harmful to consumers' health. The main effects of these substances are to hinder brain growth and development and to damage the lungs.
I am calling on school administrators and parents to monitor their students and children. If any sellers or distributors are found, please cooperate with authorities to shut down all e-cigarette shops across the country," he said.
He added, "We are aware that e-cigarettes and HTPs are harming young people and are becoming a concern for the country's leadership and the public.
Cambodia's Minister of Interior, Sar Kheng, has warned all relevant authorities and citizens to adhere to the National Authority for Combating Drugs' (NACD) guidelines on prevention and control of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP). Kheng stated that failure to effectively curb the use of these products may result in significant repercussions for Cambodia’s human resource development, as electronic cigarettes can cause distractions for young children.
Yesterday, Kong Vytanak, the Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk province, stated that he is currently educating and advising the relevant authorities in the province on how to effectively use and distribute electronic cigarettes.
He added that he is currently working with the provincial education department, having visited a total of 89 target schools and nearly 30,000 students. He aims to educate students about the impact of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) and have school management screen students before they enter school. "We still have some challenges to address since Chinese nationals who reside and work in Sihanoukville continue to use e-cigarettes as these products are not banned in their country," he explained.
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