With the development of human resources crucial in the development of the nation, good public health and nutrition is essential for creating a skilled and highly productive workforce, one with higher levels of wellbeing.

The Cambodian government pays close attention to improving school health by developing strategies and interactive activities between educational institutions and health services.

These aim to promote health through education on the matter, disease prevention, the provision of fundamental health services, the promotion of hygiene and a sanitary environment, as well as the supply of clean water, to educational personnel and learners.

Recently, it has been observed that the use of e-cigarettes – also known as “vapes” – has been steadily increasing and has a negative impact on society.

This article will focus on the “National Policy on School Health”, as well as guidelines for prohibiting the use, advertisement and display of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in public and private schools.

It will also look at the announcement from the Ministry of Health on the effects of using vapes.

The goal of the “National Policy on School Health” approved by the Council of Ministers during the Plenary Session on 5 April, 2019, is to develop human resources to be fully qualified, as well as physically, mentally and spiritually healthy to sustainably develop Cambodian society.

The policy aims to contribute to improving the quality of education, while giving learners and educational personnel access to good health and welfare services to become human resources of high potential.

To achieve the vision, goal and objectives, the key strategies are to:

• Develop legal frameworks and mechanisms;

• Improve the fundamental health of learners and educational personnel;

• Promote the provision of nutrition;

• Improve the provision of clean water, sanitation and hygiene;

• Promote security and order in educational institutions;

• Promote health education;

• Provide safe, inclusive, comfortable and friendly learning environments;

• Promote the implementation of health skills;

• Involve all stakeholders in improving school health.

The strategies to promote order in educational institutions and provide safe, inclusive, comfortable and friendly learning environments highlight the prevention of tobacco and alcohol use.

Tobacco and alcohol are prohibited on the campuses of all educational institutions, while cooperating with local authorities ensures that all types of entertainment establishments are located at least two kilometers away.

Recently, there has been a reported increase in the use of e-cigarettes, or vapes, and HTPs among young people in society.

A report from the Ministry of Health reveals the health effects of using e-cigarettes, which include nicotine addiction and long-term side effects on brain development including affected memory and learning capacity, and can cause anxiety.

In response to this, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) on February 2021 issued a directive banning the use, advertisement and display of all tobacco products, as well as prohibiting public and private educational institutions from partnering with the tobacco industry.

This announcement sets out six guidelines:

• The prohibition of the use, display and advertisement of all kinds of tobacco products, both inside and outside the campus of private and public educational institutions, must be widely disseminated;

• Great effort must be taken to disseminate knowledge related to the use of tobacco products to educate on the consequences;

• Partnering with the tobacco industry for any purpose, such as charitable activities, study tours, internships, the exchange of experiences or research, is prohibited;

• Being sponsored or signing any memorandum of understanding with the tobacco industry to support any form of educational activity is banned.

• Spaces in public and private educational institutions for advertisements or the organising of exhibitions as part of programmes by the tobacco industry must not be provided;

• Participation in eliminating all forms of tobacco use is called on.

In the spirit of preventing young people using e-cigarettes and HTPs that negatively affect health, MoEYS in June 2022 issued guidelines on the prevention of their use in public and private educational institutions.

The guidelines focus on three main points:

• Disseminate widely the health effects of using e-cigarettes/vapes and HTPs to learners and educational personnel;

• Ban the use, distribution and all forms advertising of e-cigarettes/vapes and HTPs inside and around the campuses of educational institutions;

• Collaborate with parents, guardians, learners and educational personnel to identify and locate the distribution and trade of e-cigarettes/vapes and HTPs to report to the local authorities for legal action.

The absence of illegal drugs and alcohol in educational institutions contributes to improving individual health, the quality of education and the quality of life.

With e-cigarettes and HTPs harmful to health and society, the Ministry of Education will continue to work closely with relevant institutions to educate and disseminate measures to ban all types of tobacco products.

MoEYS would like to thank students, parents, school management and all stakeholders for their cooperation and encouragement in safeguarding and improving the health of Cambodia’s students.