8 August 2026
By Mom Kunthea – Khmer Times
Cambodia is stepping up efforts to curb public smoking, launching a push to transform the island city of Koh Rong into a certified smoke-free tourism destination by the end of 2026.
Tourism officials, local authorities, and health experts met Tuesday in a workshop organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration to map out enforcement strategies.
Representing Tourism Minister Hout Hak, Hor Sarun, State Secretary and Head of the Smoke-Free Environment Working Group, chaired the discussions. He stressed the need for strict compliance and stakeholder cooperation to safeguard public health and enhance the island’s appeal.
The initiative targets improved capacity building for municipal and sangkat authorities, stricter law enforcement, and heightened awareness among hospitality operators regarding the dangers of tobacco smoke.
Roughly 100 officials and private sector delegates attended the sessions, which included panel talks and closed-door strategy meetings aimed at establishing a practical timeline for official evaluation.