The Commerce Ministry has ordered tobacco companies operating in Cambodia to buy health warning stickers for cigarette packages.
A ministry official said since the order was issued Oct 8, four companies—British American Tobacco Cambodia, Marlboro importer Heng Heng, Mild Seven maker Japan Tobacco and Cheng Seng
—have put down the required deposit to buy four months worth of stickers, which run at 6,000 for $1.
Another eight companies have yet to comply, he said. Although the order said Tuesday was the deadline, the ministry official said companies have until January.
The Khmer-language sticker will read “Cigarette smoking is hazardous to your health,” according to the ministry order.
One health worker cautiously applauded the move.
“It would be a good start,” said Monica Spedding, a management adviser at Adventist Development and Relief Agency, which runs anti-smoking programs.
She added, however, that in the future it would be good if labels were broadened to include other warnings such as ones about the dangers of second-hand smoke.
