Cambodian Interior Minister Orders Intensified Crackdown on Counterfeit Cigarettes

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Sar Sokha, has urged relevant officials and institutions to pay increased attention and take high responsibility in preventing, obstructing, and cracking down on the trade of counterfeit cigarettes. This directive aims to protect the lives, safety, and public order of the citizens. Speaking at the ceremony to incinerate approximately 800 tons of counterfeit cigarettes and related materials, seized in Takeo province on the morning of September 17, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha stated that the production and distribution of counterfeit products, including cigarettes, is a widespread problem that requires high attention from authorities, businesses, smokers, and the public, especially the youth. Mr. Sar Sokha emphasized that counterfeiting brands, trademarks, and packaging not only misleads buyers and infringes on the rights of brand owners but also severely impacts public health. Regarding the resolution of this issue, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out the necessity of relying on confirmation from brand owners and thorough technical and well-founded inspections by competent institutions to determine whether cigarettes are counterfeit or genuine. He affirmed that doing so would enhance confidence among businesses, smokers, and citizens through appropriate mechanisms, ensuring compliance with government measures to protect public health and the environment related to tobacco products. The incineration of approximately 800 tons of counterfeit cigarettes is a temporary measure for handling evidence in accordance with legal procedures, aimed at absolutely preventing these counterfeit cigarettes from being used, sold, distributed, or re-entering the market. The Deputy Prime Minister added that all data and quantities of evidence are accurately recorded in the case file to serve as a legal basis for judicial institutions to proceed with charges and sentencing of offenders according to the law. This incineration of approximately 800 tons of counterfeit cigarettes, packaging, and manufacturing materials is the result of cooperation between the officials of the Cambodian National Police General Commissariat and the Ministry of Public Security of China, through the exchange and sharing of secret information for investigation. According to a report from the National Police General Commissariat, authorities have seized a number of counterfeit cigarettes, packaging, and related materials, including 31 types of counterfeit cigarettes, mostly of the ESSE, JET, MEVIUS, and Manchester brands, as well as counterfeit Chinese brands, all of which are well-known and popular brands.