Sales and advertising of e-cigarettes(heatsticks supplier) and heated tobacco products (HTP) have tripled in Cambodia over the past six months, despite efforts by authorities to curb the use of these products.

These latest figures were presented at the Cambodia e-Cigarette(heatsticks manufacturer) Conference held by Phnom Penh Municipal Government on June 12.

Speaking at the event, Dr Mom Kong, executive director of the Cambodia Health Campaign, said the promotion of e-cigarettes(heat not burn tabac) continued to grow on social media through social media platforms such as Facebook, Tik Tok and Telegram, with promoters using appealing pictures and videos to reach target groups of teenagers and students.

He added that e-cigarettes are the most dangerous products because they contain nicotine, which is especially addictive for young people. Nicotine can also cause serious damage to children's brains.

Dr Kong also noted that studies on the use and distribution of e-cigarettes in schools found that most young people purchased e-cigarettes or smoked through social media.

"I think the advertising of e-cigarettes on social media like Facebook, Tik Tok and Telegram and the promotion of these products is having a devastating effect on young people and undermining their future," he said.

Dr Kong said that to prevent young people from using e-cigarettes, the authorities should adopt additional legal mechanisms to punish e-cigarette sellers and intervene to ban the import of these products into Cambodia, as people would not use them if they were not imported.

Phnom Penh Deputy Mayor Im Ron Hassan said authorities have been actively cracking down on the use, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in recent months.

"However, recently we have seen the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products on social media sites such as Facebook, Telegram and Tik Tok, which is concerning."

He asked the 104 district chiefs and other authorities in Phnom Penh City to ban the sale, distribution and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in accordance with the law.

Major General Lim Tong Huot, director of the Legislation, Education and Rehabilitation Department of the National Council Against Narcotics (NACD), said yesterday that he had seen many students and others secretly using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Phnom Penh.

He added that in order to stop the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes, district and community police chiefs in Phnom Penh's 104 districts must work with other authorities to identify those responsible for selling e-cigarettes and make them face legal action.

Major General Tong Huot also said that most sellers of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products operate near schools, but district and community police chiefs have not taken any action.