JTI Cambodia leaves industry group

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is ending its affiliation with the Association of the Tobacco Industry of Cambodia (ATIC), citing ATIC’s inaction on the continued sale of cigarette packaging without graphic health warnings, according to a report in The Phnom Penh Post.

“JTI will only be part of an association which fully discharges its commitments and undertakings made,” Cormac O’Rourke, general manager of JTI Cambodia, was quoted as saying.

According to O’Rourke, ATIC failed to create a level playing field by flagrantly ignoring legislation and allowing unmarked cigarette package imports to continue to flood into the local market despite legislation requiring all cigarettes in the market to carry graphic images and warning labels on their packages as of July 23.

“We stopped importing any new cigarettes since July 8 and after three weeks of trying to encourage all members to abide by the law, we can no longer be associated with ATIC,” he said.

“No manufacturer should be importing unmarked cigarettes after July 22.”

Adopted in October 2015, the legislation requires that graphic photos depicting the health effects of smoking cover at least 50 percent of cigarette packages with a written warning message in Khmer covering an additional 5 percent.