Globally,
more than a third of all people are regularly exposed to
SHS. SHS exposure commonly occurs in homes and
workplaces, but exposure also occurs in many public
places including in restaurants, bars, markets, airports,
public transportation, and even health and education
facilities. It is estimated that around 1.2 million
premature deaths annually are due to exposure to SHS
causing heart disease, stroke, cancer, acute asthma, and
others. Even brief exposure can cause immediate and
serious health harm.
All people, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic
status, deserve protection of their health, and
involuntary exposure to SHS may be considered a
violation of the basic human right to life and smoking
around children as a form of child abuse.
As recommended in the WHO FCTC Article 8
Guidelines, only a 100% smoke-free environment can
effectively protect persons from exposure to tobacco
smoke and the health hazards of smoking.
Public smoking bans also encourage smokers to quit and
discourage youth smoking.
With growing public awareness and support for
smoke-free environments, an increasing number of
countries have taken steps to protect people from the
dangers of tobacco smoke by enacting laws that ban
smoking in all public places and create smoke-free
environments. The ban covers all forms of tobacco
products including waterpipes, e-cigarettes, and heated
tobacco products.
This chapter describes the progress achieved by
ASEAN countries in enforcing comprehensive
smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in various public
settings. Related initiatives include smoke-free cities,
smoke-free world heritage sites, smoke-free tourism,
and smoke-free universities to attain a smoke-free
ASEAN.
Enjoy ASEAN food in smoke-free environments
| Country | 100% smoke-free indoor air-conditioned restaurant (air conditioned or not) | Allows designated smoking room inside the restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Brunei | ✔ | |
| Cambodia | ✔ | |
| Indonesia | ✘ | |
| Lao PDR | ✔ | |
| Malaysia | ✔ | |
| Myanmar | ✔ | |
| Philippines | ✔ | ✘ |
| Singapore | ✔ | |
| Thailand | ✔ | |
| Vietnam | ✔ |
Smoke-free settings (indoor)
- 100% smoke-free/No smoking room
- With smoking room
- Allows smoking anywhere/not included in the law
| Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Lao PDR | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | ||||||||||
| Bars & pubs | * | |||||||||
| Educational facilities | ||||||||||
| Health care facilities | ||||||||||
| Hotels | ||||||||||
| Restaurants (aircond) | ||||||||||
| Restaurants (non-aircond) | ||||||||||
| Shops & shopping complex | ||||||||||
| Transport terminals | ||||||||||
| Transportation (public) | ** | |||||||||
| Universities | ||||||||||
| Workplaces/offices |
*No bars/pubs in Brunei
**Myanmar: Designated smoking areas are allowed in public trains and public water transportation under the national tobacco control law but the Ministerial Notifications (2014) prohibits smoking in those forms of transportations.
Smoke-free settings (outdoor)
- 100% smoke-free/No smoking room
- With smoking room
- Allows smoking anywhere/not included in the law
| Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Lao PDR | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport (Waiting areas) | ||||||||||
| Bars & pubs (Open area dining) | * | |||||||||
| Educational facilities (Premises) | ||||||||||
| Healthcare facilities (Premises) | ||||||||||
| Hotels (Open area facilities) | ||||||||||
| Restaurants (Al Fresco dining) | * | |||||||||
| Shops & shopping complex (Open area markets/shops) | ||||||||||
| Transport terminals (Waiting areas) | ||||||||||
| Universities (Premises) | ||||||||||
| Workplaces/offices (Open area for work) | ||||||||||
| Parks & playgrounds | ** | |||||||||
| Sports complex |
*In Singapore, since 30 June 2017, new smoking areas have not been approved for bars and pubs but existing smoking areas are all allowed to remain until the business operators cease operations.
**In Vietnam, sports complex may have designated smoking areas with the exception of childcare facilities and recreational facilities for children which should be 100% smoke-free.
28 smoke-free airports among the world’s 50 busiest airports*
*Suvarnhabumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang closed all smoking rooms in February 2019 in compliance with the Tobacco Products Control Act 2017.
Smoking is prohibited within 5 meters of airport entrances and walkways.
Percentage of youth exposed to secondhand smoke inside and outside the home
Common places with secondhand smoke exposure in ASEAN
*Adults exposed to tobacco smoke in universities (24.3%) and school (15.9%).
Nicotine is highly addictive and exposure to nicotine in adolescents, in particular, can have long-lasting, damaging effects, noting that it could affect brain development. Nicotine is emitted by all conventional and electronic smoking devices.
Government toll-free telephone complaint hotline or similar system to report violations
Toll-free telephone complaint hotline
| Country | Toll-free telephone complaint hotline | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Brunei |
+67 37192005 (any violations to smoke-free law) |
Health Enforcement Unit, Ministry of Health |
| Philippines | 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (For violations or complaints related to government agencies or personnel) | Office of the President |
| Singapore |
+65 66842036 or 66842037 (any tobacco related offences) |
Office of the President |
| Thailand | 1442 (any complaints including issues related to tobacco and violence offences) | Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health |
Mobile App
*Monitor KTR app is developed by Ministry of Health to monitor the smoke-free policy status and compliance. It is used by the smoke-free task force in all districts/cities in Indonesia.
**Pantau KTR app is designed for public participatory system to monitor smoke-free implementation and report any violation. It is operated in Medan, Surakarta, and other cities in Indonesia.
***Vn0khoithuoc app is provided by Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund (VNTCF) for a trial use in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Comprehensive smoke-free legislation that covers all
indoor places is currently in place in 74 countries.
Penalties
Countries that allow the issuance of compound fees to smoke-free violators
| Country | Compound fees (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Smokers | Establishment | |
| Brunei | USD 224 - 374 (BND 300 - 500) | USD 374 (BND 500) |
| Malaysia | 50% of the total fine up to USD 1,133 (MYR 5,000) | 50% from the total fine up to USD 340 or USD 566 (MYR 1,500 or MYR 2,500) |
| Singapore | 1st offense USD 147 (SGD 200) |
1st offense USD 147 (SGD 200) Succeeding offenses USD 368 (SGD 500) |
Penalties for violating smoke-free policy in ASEAN
| Country | Penalties (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Smokers | Establishment | |
| Brunei | 737 (BND 1,000) | 737 – 1,474 (BND 1,000 – 2,000) |
| Cambodia | 5 (KHR 20,000) | 12.3 (KHR 50,000) |
| Indonesia | Maximum limit of fines: 3,342 (IDR 50 million) | Maximum limit of fines: 3,342 (IDR 50 million) |
| Lao PDR | 10.5 – 21 (LAK 200,000 – 400,000)* | 52.5 – 262.6 (LAK 1,000,000 – 5,000,000)** |
| Malaysia | 2,267 (not exceeding MYR 10,000) or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years |
680 (not exceeding MYR 3,000) or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months (not displaying no smoking
signage) 1,133 (not exceeding MYR 5,000) or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year (failing to ensure no people smoke in the premise) |
| Myanmar | 0.4 – 1.8 (MMK 1,000 – 5,000) |
1st offense 0.4 – 1.1 (MMK 1,000 – 3,000) Succeeding offenses 1.1 – 3.5 (MMK 3,000 – 10,000) |
| Philippines | 9.04 – 181 (PHP 500 – 10,000) | 9.04 – 181 (PHP 500 – 10,000) |
| Singapore | 737 (up to SG 1,000) |
1st offense 737 (SG 1,000) Succeeding offenses 1,474 (up to SG 2,000) |
| Thailand | 141 (THB 5,000) | 1,412 (THB 50,000) |
| Vietnam | 8.48 – 21.2 (VND 200,000 – 500,000) | |
*1st offence shall be disciplined and warned; 2nd offence LAK 200,000; 3rd or succeeding offences LAK 400,000.
**None ‘no-smoking sign’, 1st offence shall be disciplined and warned; 2nd offence LAK 1,000,000; 3rd or succeeding offences LAK 2,000,000. Ignored or negligence somebody smoking in the establishment, 1st offence shall be disciplined and warned; 2nd offence LAK 1,000,000; 3rd and succeeding offences LAK 5,000,000.
Regional smoke-free networks
Smoke-free Cities Asia Pacific Network
Photo of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte taken in 2013 while he was the Mayor of Davao City.
The Smoke-free Cities Asia Pacific Network (SCAN) formerly known as the
Smoke-free Cities ASEAN Network, is a coalition of cities, municipalities,
provinces, states and districts in the Asia Pacific countries that support each
other to achieve the goal of making their countries smoke-free (FCTC Article 8).
SCAN was launched in Davao City, Philippines during the 1st Smoke-free
Cities Regional Workshop in 2013. It was organized to bring together all
cities, municipalities and provinces, and other different smoke-free settings,
which includes heritage sites and cities in the ASEAN that are moving to
becoming smoke-free.SCAN provides a platform to share experiences and
learn from the best practices on smoke-free of different cities, cities with different cultures but with a
common goal. The establishment of SCAN has increased the awareness of the political leaders on the
importance of creating and adopting strong smoke-free policies to make cities healthy and liveable.
In 2015, the mayors and governors signed the pledge of commitment during the 3rd
Smoke-free Cities Regional Workshop in Iloilo City, Philippines. SCAN officially
accepted members coming from the 10 ASEAN countries and Mongolia. At present,
there are more than 300 SCAN members.
ASEAN Smoke-free Regional Workshop
Baguio City, Philippines (2022)
Siem Reap, Cambodia (2019)
Penang, Malaysia (2017)
Hoi An, Vietnam (2018)
Krabi, Thailand (2016)
Iloilo, Philippines (2015)
Davao City, Philippines (2013)
Balanga City, Philippines (2014)
Smoke-free city models: Philippines
In 2022, Davao City was the first local government unit to enact a Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance. The smoke-free policy was further strengthened by the enactment of City Ordinance 0367-12 in 2013, stipulating that smoking of any tobacco products and vaping of any electronic device is absolutely prohibited in all enclosed places and outdoor public places. In 2013, Davao City was awarded by SEATCA as the 1st 100% Smoke-Free Metropolitan City in the ASEAN region.
Iloilo City is a 100% smoke-free city in
the Philippines. The Comprehensive
Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Iloilo City
(Regulation Ordinance No. 2021-255)
safeguards public health by protecting
constituents from the harmful effects
of smoking and tobacco use, reducing
potential exposure to tobacco
marketing and advertising, restricting
accessibility to tobacco products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS),
electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs),
and providing support, and a conducive environment for tobacco users to quit.
Executive Order 96 was also launched, declaring all heritage and tourism sites in
Iloilo City smoke-free. The Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force strictly enforces the
provisions of the ordinance.
Balanga City is a 100% smoke-free city in Bataan, Philippines where smoking is not allowed in all enclosed places and public places. In Balanga, smoking, selling, distribution, advertising and promotion of tobacco products and/or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) within the declared University Town area are prohibited as stipulated in Ordinance No. 17 series of 2019 entitled the "New comprehensive tobacco and nicotine regulation for the protection of health and welfare ordinance of Balanga City".
Baguio City is a 100% smoke-free city in the Philippines. Ordinance No. 34 s. 2017 makes it unlawful for any person to smoke or allow smoking in public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles or any other means of public transport for passengers, accommodation and entertainment establishments, public buildings, public places, enclosed public places or any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence or private place of work, except in duly designated smoking areas. Those allowing or abetting or tolerating the aforementioned violations will be fined PHP 1,000 (USD 17.86) for the first offense, PHP 2,000 (USD 35.72) for the second offense and PHP 3,000 (USD 52.08) for the third offense. In 2020, Baguio City reported a total collection of PHP 2.81 million from establishments and individual violators of the smoke-free ordinance.
Asia-Pacific Smoke-free Heritage Sites & Cities Alliance (ASHA)
Angkor, Cambodia
Borobudur, Indonesia
Prambanan Temples, Indonesia
Sewu Temple, Indonesia
Vat Phou, Lao PDR
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Penang, Malaysia
Malacca, Malaysia
Bagan, Myanmar
Historical Town of Sukhotai, Thailand
Ancient Town of Hoi An, Vietnam
Halong, Vietnam
Global Alliance for Smoke-free Tourism (GAST)
In 2022, SEATCA launched a new Global Alliance for Smoke-Free Tourism at the 8th Asia Pacific Smoke-Free Meeting with the theme, “Rising amidst the challenges: Strengthening and sustaining smoke-free implementation and enforcement”, in Baguio City, Philippines. The GAST has 127 smoke-free tourism sites as members.
Cambodia: Smoke-free award
The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Health
has launched a ‘Smoke-Free Environment Compliance Awards’
initiative in 2019. The award aims to recognize to and encourage good
compliance of smoke-free environments in the tourism sector in tandem
with the smoke-free regulation, particularly among food establishments
(restaurants, cafeteria, and food court) and accommodations (hotels,
guesthouses, and homestays).
The initiative started with tourism-active
provinces including Kampong Cham, Siem Reap and Battambang. At
present, 518 tourism establishments have received the smoke-free
environment compliance awards (a trophy and a certificate of
appreciation) by the Ministry of Tourism.
Smoke-Free Environment Compliance Awardees for 2019–2022
In addition to the trophy, no-smoking stickers were provided to hotels/guesthouses and restaurants to support the smoke-free initiative.
| Provinces | Number of awardees | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels/guesthouses | Restaurants | ||
| Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Battambang | 37 | 26 | 2019 |
| Kampong Speu, Pursat, Kep, Kampot, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Takeo, Tboung Khmum, Kratie | 138 | 97 | 2020 |
| Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Steung Treng | 46 | 34 | 2021 |
| Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kampot, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk | 82 | 58 | 2022 |
Cambodia: Smoke-free tourism - Kampot City
Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism signed a ministerial decision, officially
known as ‘Prakas,’ to implement guidelines for a Smoke-free Tourism
City. This initiative aims to preserve Cambodia's pristine charm and
promote healthier tourism practices. The objective is to encourage
tourism establishments in cities or districts to adhere to minimum
standard operating procedures, thereby creating a smoke-free
environment and declaring the city as a smoke-free tourism destination.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, SEATCA, and WHO
Cambodia, the Kampot City government has spearheaded efforts to
develop the city into Cambodia's first smoke-free tourism destination,
ensuring compliance with the necessary standards for a smoke-free
environment.
Indonesia: Smoke-free heritage
With SEATCA's support and to protect its world heritage sites from damage caused by tobacco use, Borobudur
and
Prambanan in 2012 declared the main sites frequented by tourists as smoke-free zones to conserve the
temple’s
stone reliefs and statues, joining the regional campaign to raise public awareness on the harmful effects of
smoking.
In order to expand the network to other sites, Borobudur and Prambanan led the establishment of the
Indonesia
Chapter of the Smoke-free Heritage sites and cities Alliance (SHA) in 2017. The initiative was strengthened
through
the issuance of the Director of Culture Circular Letter No. 3382/E.E1/KB/2019 concerning smoke-free areas in
cultural heritage sites.
At present, 77 heritage sites have an internal regulation to implement smoke-free heritage
sites. Of these, four are listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites including Borobudur Temple, Prambanan
Temple, Sangiran Early Man Site, and Ombilin Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto.
Vietnam: Non-smoking tourism city model
Vietnam has initiated a non-smoking tourism city model in Hoi An,
Hue, Nha Trang and Ha Long cities. ‘No-smoking’ signages were
displayed in non-smoking areas particularly at tourist attractions,
hotels, and restaurants. Besides providing a non-smoking working
environment, the restaurants and hotels also enforce penalties for
those who smoke in workplaces and public places, as well as promote
smoke-free policy to the locals and tourists.
Hanoi was promoted as a model for “food-safe and non-smoking
restaurants and hotels” in 2017. About 200 hotels and restaurants
participated in the non-smoking campaign and committed to comply
with smoke-free policy according to the Law on Prevention of the
Harm of Tobacco.
In September 2019, there were 30 non-smoking cultural, tourist, and
relic sites in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City. ‘No smoking’ signages
were put up to warn the locals or tourists to comply with the
smoke-free policy.
Smoke-Free Universities Network (SFUN)
Myanmar
The Smoke-free Universities Network (SFUN) was launched in Mandalay, Myanmar in 2016. The People’s Health
Foundation (PHF) and SEATCA organized a Smoke-free Universities Workshop to build capacity and train focal
persons in 30 universities, initially including medical universities only but later expanded to include
non-medical
universities.
These smoke-free universities formed a network known as the Smoke-free Universities Network
(SFUN) with plans to include other smoke-free universities in the ASEAN. SFUN was organized to strengthen
the
smoke-free campaign in educational facilities, including prohibiting the sale, advertising, and promotion of
any
tobacco products within these places and in nearby areas.
Several universities joined the selection for the Best Smoke-free University in Myanmar. The Minister of
Health
presented the awards to the recipients during the 2018 World No Tobacco Day celebration in Nay Pyi Taw. In
recognition of their successful smoke-free campaign, the following universities received the awards:
Other participating universities were recognized: University of Medicine 1 (Yangon), University of Medicine
2
(Yangon), University of Community Health (Magway), University of Medical Technology (Mandalay), University
of Dentistry (Mandalay), and University of Dental Medicine (Mandalay).
All medical-related universities have been smoke-free since 2018. Major universities in all capital cities
of regions
and states have also been smoke-free since 2019.
Thailand
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has established a smoke-free universities network with a total of 164 members. The network aims to strengthen the implementation of smoke-free universities.
Smoke-free sports in ASEAN
| Country | Sport Event | Event Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 5–17 May 2023 |
| Cambodia | 12th ASEAN Para Games | 3–9 June 2023 |
| Cambodia | 1st Smoke-Free Sports event | 20 June 2012 |
| Vietnam | 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 12–23 May 2022 |
| Vietnam | 9th Smoke-free National Games | 9–21 December 2022 |
| Vietnam | 5th Asian Beach Games | 24 September–3 October 2016 |
| Vietnam | 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 5–13 December 2003 |
| Philippines | 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 30 November–11 December 2019 |
| Philippines | 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 27 November–5 December 2005 |
| Malaysia | 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 19–30 August 2017 |
| Malaysia | 5th ASEAN Para Games | 15–19 August 2009 |
| Singapore | 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 5–16 June 2015 |
| Myanmar | 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 11–22 December 2013 |
| Indonesia | 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 11–22 November 2011 |
| Lao PDR | 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 9–18 December 2009 |
| Lao PDR | 11th Lao National Games | 13–22 December 2022 |
| Lao PDR | Smoke-free National Games | Implemented since 2008 |
| Thailand | 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games | 6–15 December 2007 |
Enforcement infrastructure at the national level
- Yes
- Partial
- No
| Components of the enforcement infrastructure that should be included in the law | Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia** | Lao PDR | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorities responsible for enforcement | ||||||||||
| System for monitoring compliance and for prosecuting violations | ||||||||||
| Process for inspection of businesses for compliance | ||||||||||
| National coordinating mechanism to ensure a consistent approach on monitoring nationwide | ||||||||||
| Overall Enforcement Plan | ||||||||||
| Regular Inspections | ||||||||||
| Authorizes inspectors to enter the premises and to collect samples and gather evidence | ||||||||||
| Prohibits businesses from obstructing the inspectors in their work | ||||||||||
| Funding Mechanism |
*Cambodia is in the process of developing regulations related to enforcement.
**All enforcement infrastructure and activities are based on Local Smoke-free Regulations legislated by the local government.
Strategies for enforcement
- Yes
- Partial
- No
| Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Lao PDR | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft enforcement upon the law’s entrance into force | ||||||||||
| Soft enforcement upon the law’s entrance into force | ||||||||||
| Swift & decisive action to penalize violators |
Smoke-free awards
ASEAN Smoke-free Award (ASA)
In supporting the campaign ‘Towards a Smoke-free ASEAN’, Lao PDR
within the ASEAN Health Cluster 1, in cooperation with the ASEAN
Secretariat and SEATCA, initiated the ASEAN Smoke-free Award (ASA)
for cities, municipalities, provinces, and states or its equivalent in a
country. Nominations for the ASA were accepted from May to October
2023, and validation and rating are in process.
ASA will be a biennial event concurrent with the ASEAN Health
Ministers Meeting (AHMM). The first ASA awarding ceremony will be
held as a side event at the 16 th AHMM in August 2024. The awardees will
also be recognized as model smoke-free cities of the Smoke-free Cities
Asia-Pacific Network (SCAN).
Malaysia: Blue Ribbon Award
The Blue Ribbon Campaign was initiated in 2013 as part of the initiative of the Malaysian Health Promotion
Board (MySihat) to recognize and honour the significant roles played by individuals, organizations and
institutions advocating a 100% smoke-free environment in both indoor and outdoor areas in workplaces,
restaurants or hotels. Currently, there are more than 300 premises recognised as smoke-free through the Blue
Ribbon Premises Certification.
The role of media is honoured through a media award for raising awareness on
the harmful effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. An outstanding achievement and special
awards were given to individuals, groups, institutions, communities, government agencies and other
stakeholders who have shown excellence in tobacco control leadership. MySihat has also been actively
promoting and supporting the smoke-free cities initiatives in Malaysia, particularly in Melaka, Johor, Pulau
Pinang, Kelantan and Terengganu. At present, around 33 smoke-free zones have been gazetted in these 5 states
between 2011 and 2017.
Philippines: Department of Health (DOH) Red Orchid Award
The DOH Red Orchid Award was the first of its kind in the world. It aimed to advocate
and promulgate DOH Administrative Order 2009-0010 and Civil Service Commission
Memorandum Circular No. 17, dated May 29, 2009 for 100% smoke-free environments
and push for full implementation of the WHO FCTC. The highly sought-after award
started in 2010 and gave recognition to 100% tobacco-free cities, municipalities,
government offices and health facilities strictly enforcing tobacco control measures.
The Red Orchid Award has been subsumed into the “Healthy Pilipinas Awards” which started in 2022 and
recognizes local government units with best practices in various health promotion programmes that include
tobacco control. It is being managed by the Health Promotion Bureau of the Department of Health. Despite
the change in the national level awarding system, the Red Orchid Award is still being continued by several
Regional Offices of the Department of Health.
For more detailed information, please visit http://smokefreeasean.seatca.org and refer to the Smoke-free Index: Implementation of Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in ASEAN Countries (2020), Towards a Smoke-free ASEAN & Beyond: A Decade of Advancing a Genuine Smoke-free Future (2022), and Smoke-free Policy Implementation & Enforcement: A Practical Guide (2023).
Standardized tobacco packaging and pictorial health warnings in ASEAN
- Pictorial health warning size
- Less than 50%
- 50%-74%
- 75%-84%
- 85% and above
| COUNTRY |
Health warning size (front and back) |
|---|---|
| Philippines (PHW since 2016) | 50% |
| Myanmar (PHW since 2016, SP since 2022)** | 75% |
| Indonesia (PHW since 2014) | 40% |
| Malaysia (PHW since 2009) | 50% |
| Cambodia (PHW since 2016) | 55% |
| Thailand (PHW since 2005, SP since 2019) | 85% |
| Lao PDR (PHW since 2018*, SP in December 2024) | 75% |
| Vietnam (PHW since 2013) | 50% |
| Singapore (PHW since 2004, SP since 2020) | 75% |
*The Pictorial Health Warnings Regulation was legislated in May 2016, but actual implementation was delayed due to strong tobacco industry interference. The deadline for tobacco industry compliance was extended three times from 1 October 2016 to 1 January 2018 (a total of 19 months grace period). The Ministry of Health has issued a regulation on standardized tobacco packaging as mandated by the Tobacco Control Law 2021. Lao PDR is the fourth ASEAN country to require standardized tobacco packaging effective 5 December 2024.
**Initial implementation on 10 April 2022 has been postponed three times due to industry interference. The latest implementation date is 31 December 2024.
Support Tobacco Control in ASEAN
Your donation helps strengthen tobacco control efforts across Southeast Asia, funding critical programs that save lives, promote healthier communities and protect future generations from the harms of tobacco. Every contribution makes a difference.