• March 28, 2024

Cambodia Police Campaign Against E-Cigarette Use

 Cambodia Police Campaign Against E-Cigarette Use

Credit: Luzitanija

Credit: Luzitanija

Authorities in Cambodia are stepping up their campaign against vaping throughout the country with students and youths as the main targets.

Cambodian law bans the sale, consumption and import of e-cigarettes. However, there is no information that could be found on any consequences for using or selling vaping products.

According to Khmer Times, no legal action can be taken against users or sellers but authorities hope to reverse the trend of vaping, if not stop it, by creating awareness of the ill effects of smoking an e-cigarette and educating users about “the folly of their ways.”

General Meas Vyrith, secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) said, “most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. E-cigarettes contain harmful substances besides nicotine.”

Cambodian authorities cannot arrest anyone for e-cigarette use. Police can only advise underage users.

“We can however take action against people who sell e-cigarette devices on the sly. We are also studying ways we can use existing laws and regulations to stop this threat to public health,” he said yesterday.