Smoking at the last-chance saloon

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health is due to begin ramping up its efforts to publicize and enforce a recently passed tobacco smoking ban, according to a story in The Phnom Penh Post.

Individuals caught smoking in public places where smoking is banned and establishments that fail to display ‘no smoking’ signs can expect to be hit by fines starting from September 16.

Under a sub-decree, approved in March, establishments will face a 50,000 riel ($12.50) fine if they fail to put up no smoking signs or are caught providing customers with ashtrays.

Individuals found to be in violation of the ban will face a fine of 20,000 riel ($5).

The no smoking signs must be written in Khmer or English and must specify the fines for non-compliance.

Dr. Yel Daravuth, a technical officer at the World Health Organization who helped draft the ban, said “we don’t want to punish people; we need to help protect non-smokers”.

Some businesses shrugged off the announcement. Vanny Nget, assistant to the owner of the Cadillac Bar and Grill, said it allowed customers to smoke inside only after 22:30, and didn’t expect to change its policy.