Myanmar's commitment for standardised plain packaging on all tobacco products since 2021
Dr Kyaw Kan Kaung, Deputy Director General (Disease Control), Ministry of Health, Myanmar shared that Myanmar has marked a significant milestone in protecting public health and advancing global tobacco control efforts with the successful implementation of standardised plain packaging on tobacco products.
First announced in 2021, the regulation faced repeated delays due to interference from the tobacco industry. Tobacco companies attempted to postpone implementation, citing a lack of appropriate equipment, materials and technical capacity to comply with the new packaging requirements. Despite these efforts, Myanmar remained committed to the regulation, which has now taken full effect as of October 2025.
Dr Kaung underlined the importance of sub-national governments and other leaders to implement tobacco control and other health policies. "Our national office can make public health policies and regulations but we also need to fully support and coordinate with local leaders to implement them."
8th APCAT Summit 2026 Declaration
Mayors, Members of Parliament, Governors and Vice Governors, and other local government leaders and stakeholders from 121 cities of 12 countries in Asia and the Pacific region endorsed the 8th APCAT Summit 2026 Declaration, and committed to:
* Lead the effective implementation and sustainability of comprehensive tobacco and nicotine free policies, including 100% smokefree environments; a complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; larger graphic health warnings and standardized plain packaging; accessible smoking cessation services; and bans on electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products including shisha and similar products.
* Advocate and work with national governments and policymakers to increase taxes and prices on unhealthy commodities, including tobacco and nicotine products, alcohol, sugar, and sweetened beverages.
* Ensure accountability and protect public policy from industry interference by rejecting funding, donations, logistical support, grants, or partnerships from industries producing unhealthy commodities, including tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, sugar, and sweetened beverages.
* Invest in tobacco control as a core prevention strategy for tuberculosis, noncommunicable diseases, and stunting, including smoking cessation services in TB and NCD clinics, family health programmes, and universal screening with referral to the standard continuum of care.
* Adopt One Health approaches to strengthen resilience, recognising that a healthy city is a resilient city.
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