Cambodia Enforces Full Ban on E-Cigarettes and Shisha to Protect Youth

Key Points：

• Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has signed a directive to strengthen the enforcement of a ban on e-cigarettes and water pipes. 
• The directive prohibits the import, distribution, sale, advertising, use, possession, production, and storage of these products. 
• The Ministry of Education will strictly prohibit these products in schools, surrounding areas, dormitories, and sports facilities. 
• The Ministry of Health has identified health risks associated with these products, including high nicotine levels, mixing with drugs, and damage to heart, lungs, and nervous system development.
• In May, Hun Manet stated that Cambodia does not welcome e-cigarette investments and rejected an application to build a factory to produce e-cigarettes.

2Firsts, October 23, 2025 - According to Khmer Times, Cambodia has issued a new Prime Minister's directive instructing strict enforcement and regular monitoring of a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes and water pipes. 

The directive highlights the widespread increase in the use of e-cigarettes and water pipes among children and adolescents, posing a threat to public health and impacting the safety and order of schools and educational institutions. It also warns that it could potentially serve as a gateway to the use of other illegal drugs.

The directive is clear: the import, distribution, sale, advertising, use, possession, production, and storage of e-cigarettes and hookahs in all forms and types are strictly prohibited.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the Ministry of Education to prohibit the use of electronic devices and chemicals in both public and private schools, teacher training institutions, dormitories, community learning centers, and sports facilities, and to cooperate with relevant departments to conduct inspections.

The Ministry of Health has stated that e-cigarettes and hookahs pose serious health risks: e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine and can be mixed with drugs such as marijuana; hookahs contain highly toxic ingredients. The health risks associated with these products include severe lung diseases, lung cancer, heart disease, brain development damage, premature birth and infertility, as well as stomach cancer and bladder cancer.

According to official reports, Cambodia has banned the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes and hookahs since 2014.

2Firsts noticed that in May 2025, Hun Manet had stated that the Cambodian government does not welcome any form of e-cigarette investment, even if it is only for export. At that time, a foreign ministerial official had visited the Cambodian Minister of Commerce to propose setting up an e-cigarette factory in Cambodia, but the Cambodian government had rejected the investment application.

Image source: Khmer Times KH