Cambodian is committed to promoting the principle of tobacco-free sports at both the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games.

In a press release by the Ministry of Tourism yesterday, officials announced that the use, sponsorship, distribution and promotion of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is banned.

All cigarettes and e-cigarette are banned from all event venues.

The bans include the prohibition against using tobacco products and e-cigarettes at the National Stadium, sports fields and at all dining areas of sporting team delegations.

The Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee and Cambodia ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee said that it will not accept sponsorship from tobacco or e-cigarette companies.

Tobacco-free sporting venues are geared to protect players, coaches, spectators and volunteers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, the statement said.

The ban ensures a high quality environment for all participants. It also encourages smokers to quit, prevent non-smokers, especially young people from taking up smoking, and generally advocating a tobacco-free culture.

The implementation of a tobacco-free principle first began at the 22nd SEA Games hosted by Vietnam in 2003.

Since then, the SEA Games and other major international sporting events have followed the same principles of promoting tobacco-free sports.

The statement also pointed out that host countries have adhered to a tobacco-free sport principle.

For example, several major international sporting events, like the FIFA World Cup, have placed strict restrictions on tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

Cambodia will host the SEA Games and the ASEAN Para Games from May 5 to 17.