Kampong Chhnang city has been officially recognised as a Smoke-Free Tourism City, marking a step in Cambodia’s efforts to promote healthier tourism environments, strengthen tobacco-control measures and support sustainable destination development.
The announcement was made on October 26, 2026, during an official ceremony in Kampong Chhnang provincial city. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health, provincial authorities, the World Health Organisation (WHO), relevant government institutions and students.
The recognition is intended to encourage stronger implementation of smoke-free requirements in tourism-related locations and raise awareness of public health protections among businesses, service providers and visitors.
Key Facts
Destination: Kampong Chhnang city, Cambodia.
Recognition: Smoke-Free Tourism City.
Announcement date: October 26, 2026.
Ministry representative: Hor Sarun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism.
Other officials attending: Or Vandine, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health; Siv Run, President of the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Council; and Ney Chary, Deputy Provincial Governor.
International organisation represented: World Health Organisation.
Main priorities: Smoke-free tourism environments, public awareness, compliance with tobacco-control requirements and sustainable tourism development.
Future direction: Potential expansion of smoke-free initiatives to additional cities, districts and tourist attractions across the province.
Kampong Chhnang Strengthens Its Smoke-Free Tourism Profile
Kampong Chhnang’s recognition comes as Cambodia seeks to incorporate public health considerations into tourism development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hor Sarun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, emphasised the importance of implementing relevant measures to maintain smoke-free environments in designated areas.
These measures include displaying no-smoking signs in legally designated smoke-free locations and prohibiting tobacco-product advertising at tourism-related businesses and service establishments.
The approach places responsibility on tourism operators and relevant authorities to ensure that smoke-free requirements are understood and implemented.
For Kampong Chhnang, the designation provides an opportunity to strengthen its destination profile while encouraging businesses and public institutions to pay closer attention to visitor health and the quality of tourism environments.
The announcement did not specify the number of establishments covered by the recognition, the criteria used in the assessment or the monitoring arrangements for ensuring continued compliance.
Ministry of Tourism Calls for Stronger Compliance
Hor Sarun urged subnational administrations, particularly provincial tourism departments, to intensify public awareness campaigns and ensure that tourism businesses and service providers comply with relevant requirements.
He stressed that these measures should remain in place during public holidays and festivals, when domestic and international visitors travel to local attractions.
Periods of increased visitor activity can require closer coordination among tourism authorities, businesses and local administrations to ensure that public-facing establishments maintain appropriate standards.
The Ministry of Tourism’s message therefore extends beyond the recognition ceremony itself. Continued implementation, public communication and compliance by tourism operators will be important to maintaining smoke-free environments.
The source announcement did not detail specific inspection schedules, penalties or enforcement targets associated with the designation.
Smoke-Free Tourism and Public Health Protection
Smoke-free tourism initiatives seek to make tourism environments more supportive of public health by implementing applicable tobacco-control requirements.
For destinations such as Kampong Chhnang, the initiative provides a framework for communicating expectations to visitors and tourism businesses, particularly in locations legally designated as smoke-free.
At the ceremony, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health and WHO joined provincial officials and other stakeholders. Their participation highlighted the involvement of tourism, health and local-government institutions in promoting a healthier visitor environment.
Effective implementation will depend on clear signage, public understanding and consistent compliance with applicable rules.
The designation does not, by itself, establish that every location in Kampong Chhnang is smoke-free. The specific requirements depend on the relevant regulations and the areas covered by those requirements.
Could the Recognition Help Attract More Tourists?
Hor Sarun said recognition as a clean and smoke-free tourism city could help raise the profile of provinces, particularly Kampong Chhnang, and attract more international visitors.
A destination’s appeal depends on multiple factors, including its attractions, accessibility, services, visitor facilities and overall experience. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment can complement these wider tourism-development efforts.
For tourism businesses, clear smoke-free policies and compliance with relevant requirements can also contribute to a more consistent visitor experience.
However, the announcement did not provide visitor-arrival forecasts, tourism revenue estimates or evidence of a direct relationship between the new designation and increased international arrivals.
The potential tourism benefits will depend on how the initiative is implemented, communicated and integrated into the province’s wider destination-promotion activities.
Kampong Chhnang Plans to Expand Smoke-Free Initiatives
The Ministry of Tourism official also called on relevant stakeholders to prepare for the expansion of smoke-free tourism initiatives to additional clean cities, districts and tourist attractions across Kampong Chhnang province.
The proposed expansion would extend the initiative beyond the provincial city and support wider efforts to promote smoke-free environments throughout Cambodia’s tourism sector.
Such an approach would require coordination among provincial authorities, tourism departments, businesses and other relevant institutions.
The announcement did not identify specific locations for the next phase, establish an implementation timetable or confirm a target number of additional destinations.
Any expansion will therefore depend on subsequent planning and implementation by the responsible authorities.
Angkor Times Analysis: Turning Smoke-Free Recognition into a Sustainable Tourism Standard
Kampong Chhnang’s recognition offers an opportunity to connect tourism promotion with public health and destination management. The longer-term value of the designation, however, will depend on how consistently smoke-free requirements are implemented.
First, compliance needs to extend beyond the announcement. No-smoking signs, clear communication and adherence to applicable tobacco-control requirements will be important for making the recognition meaningful to residents and visitors.
Second, tourism businesses need clear guidance. Hotels, restaurants, tourism services and other relevant establishments should understand which areas are legally designated as smoke-free and what requirements apply to their operations. Consistent guidance can help reduce confusion and support compliance.
Third, expansion should be supported by implementation plans. Extending the initiative to more cities, districts and attractions could strengthen its reach, but authorities will need to establish practical arrangements for communication, coordination and monitoring.
Finally, tourism benefits should be evaluated through measurable results. Indicators such as compliance levels, public awareness and visitor feedback could help authorities assess whether the initiative is achieving its intended objectives. Any claim of increased tourist arrivals would require supporting data.
For Cambodia, smoke-free tourism can complement wider efforts to develop destinations that are attractive, well-managed and attentive to public health. Kampong Chhnang’s designation is an initial step; sustained implementation will determine its long-term contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Cambodian city has been recognised as a Smoke-Free Tourism City?
Kampong Chhnang city received the recognition, announced at an official ceremony on October 26, 2026.
2. Which ministry announced the recognition?
Hor Sarun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, announced the recognition during the ceremony.
3. What is the purpose of smoke-free tourism?
The initiative aims to promote healthier tourism environments, strengthen compliance with applicable tobacco-control requirements and support sustainable tourism development.
4. What measures did the Ministry of Tourism highlight?
The measures include displaying no-smoking signs in legally designated smoke-free areas and prohibiting tobacco-product advertising at tourism-related businesses and service establishments.
5. Does the designation mean smoking is prohibited everywhere in Kampong Chhnang?
The announcement does not establish a blanket prohibition across the entire city. Requirements depend on the applicable regulations and the areas legally designated as smoke-free.
6. Could the recognition attract more international tourists?
The Ministry of Tourism said the recognition could help raise the destination’s profile and attract more international visitors. However, no visitor-growth forecast or measured tourism impact was provided.
7. Will other destinations in Kampong Chhnang become smoke-free tourism areas?
The Ministry of Tourism has called for preparations to expand smoke-free initiatives to additional cities, districts and tourist attractions in the province. Specific locations and timelines have not been announced.