PHNOM PENH: The Phnom Penh administration has prohibited the use of cigarettes and all kinds of smoking devices on the riverside pedestrian street “Walking Street” every weekend. The municipal authorities explained that they aim to promote a clean, green, safe and vibrant tourism destination.
According to an Aug 12 directive issued by Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng, the public is prohibited from smoking or emitting tobacco smoke in public spaces along the roads, including public gardens, areas in front of restaurants, or shops along Preah Sisowath Quay, starting from 6pm every weekend.
He stated that banning smoking on the pedestrian street will help reduce the health, socio-economic and environmental impacts caused by tobacco smoke or tobacco products.
Sreng instructed business owners, vendors and tourism service providers to “display no-smoking signs clearly and in sufficient numbers at locations where smoking or emitting tobacco smoke is prohibited”.
“Vendors and tourism service providers are prohibited from advertising, displaying, selling, using, distributing or trading any type of tobacco products or electronic smoking devices, including e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products (HTP) and shisha, in all areas of the Chaktomuk pedestrian street,” he warned.
He urged the Daun Penh district and commune administrations, as well as all relevant authorities, to actively disseminate this information to restaurant and shop owners, vendors and citizens visiting the pedestrian street for leisure.
“I request that all business owners, tourism service providers, vendors and citizens comply with this directive in accordance with the law and applicable legal standards,” he said.
The riverside pedestrian street has opened every weekend from 6pm to 11pm since early February. The initiative has received public support, transforming a previously quiet area into a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, with various sales and performances. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
