The Regulatory Framework: The Prakas and SOP for Smoke-free Tourism City
Through the 2022 SEATCA Fellowship Program, and with the support of a dedicated working group called the Smoke-free Environment in the Tourism Sector (SFET), Cambodia developed the Prakas (Official Proclamation) and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which are two parts of the same regulatory instrument signed by the Minister of Tourism to enforce smoke-free laws in the tourism sector. The Prakas acts as the legal mandate that officially adopts and gives legal weight to the SOP, which serves as the practical manual for implementation. This document serves as the official legal and policy framework for local administrations to achieve recognized smoke-free status and supports the broader 2015 Tobacco Control Law and specifically outlines the measures required for cities to achieve the “Smoke-free Tourism City” (SFTC) designation.
Key Development Milestones
- Intersectoral Collaboration: The policy was refined through technical meetings involving experts.
- Technical Review: Refinement of contents in collaboration with technical experts and international partners.
- Operational Focus: Originally conceived as a “Policy,” the document was retitled to a “Guideline” in November 2022 to better reflect its practical purpose for city-level implementation.
- Official Mandate: Formally approved and signed by the Minister of Tourism on November 23, 2022, and subsequently disseminated to all provincial administrations nationwide.
- Local Integration: Coordination with local authorities, to ensure relevance at the city level.
The guidelines were refined through five technical consultative meetings involving members of the SFET Working Group.
Understanding the Dual Components
- Legal Authority: The Prakas on “Implementing the Guidelines for Smoke-free Tourism City” is the formal administrative order signed by the Minister of Tourism on November 23, 2022 that mandates the transition from general policy to binding regulations. It provides the legal weight necessary for local authorities to enforce smoke-free standards. The framework mandates a zero-engagement policy with the tobacco industry, prohibiting any sponsorship or “Social Responsibility” contributions.
- Operational Manual: The Minimum Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the “Implementation of the Smoke-free Environment in the Tourism Sector” serves as the technical core of the Prakas. It acts as a practical manual, containing the specific benchmarks and compliance measures—such as the 5-meter no-smoking radius and the prohibition of ashtrays, that businesses must follow to comply with the Law on Tobacco Control.
- Complementary Functions: While the Prakas establishes that the tourism sector must be smoke-free, the SOP defines how that is achieved. It provides the specific guidelines used by local authorities to assess and award “Smoke-free Tourism City” status.
Purpose of the Guidelines
- Strengthen Enforcement: Move beyond simple awareness to active compliance monitoring in hotels, restaurants, and public spaces.
- Facilitate Participation: Provide a clear framework for city and district administrations to collaborate with the private sector.
- Create Benchmarks: Establish a point-based system (32 indicators for private businesses and 12 for public administrations) to objectively measure “smoke-free” status
H.E. Hor Sarun
Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism
Key Components of the Smoke-free Tourism City Guidelines
The guidelines provide a framework for local authorities and tourism businesses to enforce smoke-free environments through specific compliance benchmarks:
- Smoking Prohibitions: Smoking or emitting tobacco smoke is strictly prohibited inside buildings and within 5 meters of entrances or exits of tourism business premises and public buildings.
- Signage Requirements: Owners and managers must prominently display “No Smoking” signs at entrances and throughout the premises where smoking is banned.
- Removal of Paraphernalia: All ashtrays or cigarette refuse receptacles must be removed from smoke-free areas.
- Advertising Bans: Tourism businesses are prohibited from collaborating on or permitting any form of tobacco advertisement or promotion on their premises.
- Electronic Devices: The prohibition extends to the use, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and shisha.
The Smoke-free Tourism Cities (SFTC) Appraisal Mechanism: From Policy to Performance
To achieve official SFTC designation, candidate cities must undergo a formal evaluation governed by a point-based system:
• Public Administration Assessment (12 Indicators): Evaluates the leadership, enforcement capacity, and policy integration of municipal and district authorities.
• Private Business Compliance (32 Indicators): Assesses the adherence of hotels, restaurants, and tourism establishments to critical smoke-free standards.
Core Compliance Benchmarks: The appraisal focuses on high-impact indicators designed to move beyond simple awareness to active compliance monitoring. These include:
- Physical Prohibitions:Verifying a strict no-smoking environment inside buildings and within a 5-meter radius of all entrances.
- Signage & Paraphernalia: Confirming the prominent display of “No Smoking” signs and the complete removal of ashtrays and cigarette receptacles.
- Total Ban on New Products: Ensuring strict prohibition of the use, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes (ESDs), Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), and shisha.
By utilizing this standardized SFTC Rating Form, the Ministry of Tourism and its technical partners ensure that every declared city—from the pilot in Kampot to the expansion sites—meets the same high standard for public health and sustainable tourism.