Last updated: February 11, 2024
Penalties
Sales Restrictions
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
Sales by vending machine are punishable by a fine of 5 million kip per vending machine, in addition to seizure and destruction of the vending machine. Those who import, sell, or distribute the vending machines will be fined 15 million kip per vending machine, in addition to seizure and destruction.
Sales of single cigarettes are punishable by a warning for a first offense, a fine of 200,000 kip for a second offense, and a fine of 5 million kip for a third and/or repeated offense. In addition, all cigarettes sold by sticks shall be seized and destroyed.
Sales of illegal tobacco products (e.g., waterpipe tobacco) shall be fined one time the cost of the found products for a first offense, two times the cost of the found products for a second offense, and three times the cost of the found products for a third offense. In addition, for a third offense, license suspension and/or withdrawal may be considered. All illegal tobacco products shall be seized and destroyed.
The Industry and Commerce Sector is responsible for implementation of Arts. 12 and 13 of Decree No. 52 on Penalties and Measures to Implement Tobacco Control Law and Regulations.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
Violations of location-based sales restrictions are punishable by a fine of 500,000 kip for a second offense, and by a fine of 1 million kip for a third and/or repeated offense. A first offense will result in unspecified “discipline” and a warning. The Public Security Sector is responsible for implementation of Art. 10 of Decree No. 52 on Penalties and Measures to Implement Tobacco Control Law and Regulations.
Minimum Retail Package Size
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
Violations of the minimum retail package size by individuals or organizations who manufacture, import, and/or distribute cigarettes in less than 20 sticks per pack are punishable by a fine of 10 million kip for a first offense, by a fine of 20 million kip for a second offense, and a fine of 50 million kip for a third and/or repeated offense. In addition, for a third offense, license suspension and/or withdrawal may be considered. All tobacco products manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold in less than the minimum retail package size (20 units) shall be seized and destroyed.
The Industry and Commerce Sector is responsible for implementation of Art. 13 of Decree No. 52 on Penalties and Measures to Implement Tobacco Control Law and Regulations.
Minimum Legal Sales Age
Individuals or organizations selling or distributing tobacco products to persons below the age of 18 are fined 2 million kip for a first offense, 4 million kip for a second offense, and 8 million kip for a third and/or repeated offense.
The Public Security Sector is responsible for implementation of Art. 11 of Decree No. 52 on Penalties and Measures to Implement Tobacco Control Law and Regulations.
