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CNMI invited to WHO anti-tobacco meeting
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Posted on Aug 05 1999
Public Health Secretary Kevin Villagomez left Tuesday for Manila to attend the World Health Organization’s meeting with Western Pacific leaders on the issue of tobacco control.
WHO invited Villagomez to share the local government’s campaign against the use of tobacco specifically in light of a new CNMI law which makes it difficult for minors on the island to purchase cigarettes in stores. A tobacco action plan in the Western Pacific Region is expected to be drawn up during the meeting.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed a bill into law last January 1999 which increased the penalties on establishments selling tobacco products to minors. Businesses found violating Public Law 11-75 will be fined a maximum of $500 for second offense, suspension of license for third offense and revocation of license up to one year for fourth offense.
While there has been a decline on the use of tobacco in many parts of the world, statistics show that it has been consistently increasing in the Western Pacific region.
In the Northern Marianas, Villagomez said chewing of betel nut with cigarette has become a practice which has alarmed health officials as the Commonwealth Health Center discovered cases of oral cancer.
“The alarming thing is that we have younger people now who are chewing betel nut with tobacco. Nicotine is addictive whether you chew it or smoke it, ” he said.
Health officials have cautioned the local people against betel nut chewing, a tradition in the Western Pacific Region. “It is a tradition which we must examine. Maybe we should look at what substance is being added in chewing betel nut that is now claiming a lot of people’s lives,” said Villagomez.
In its planned educational campaign on tobacco, Villagomez said the department will focus in carrying out programs for young people to keep them away from drugs and cigarette smoking.
