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Food and Nutrition Council weighs effects of betel nut
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Posted on Oct 05 1999
The Food and Nutrition Council has expressed concern on the possible negative effects of chewing betel nut on the health of the people amid reports that it can cause various diseases.
Council chairman Pamela Mathis said board members are studying the issue very well to be able to come up with a position paper in a scheduled meeting this month.
“Chewing betel nut is part of the island’s tradition so we have to study carefully the health consequences attached to this practice,” said Mathis. She noted that the negative effects have been associated with the use of lime and tobacco in chewing betel nut.
Although there have been claims that prolonged use of betel nut can cause cancer, Mathis said there is no hard data or study to support such claim.
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez has earlier warned the people against the health problems associated with betel nut chewing specifically on young people who mix it with tobacco. He noted that several health studies have shown cigarette smoking can cause lung cancer and other diseases — the main reason why the
federal government has required all tobacco manufacturers to put a warning label on every cigarette case that the product poses health hazard and can cause cancer.
Even Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan has criticized the chewing of betel nut saying the people are hooked on the addictive properties of the concoction. He warned legislators against enacting a proposed measure imposing price control on betel nut because this would mean supporting other forms of addiction.
Villagomez has strongly criticized the chewing of betel nut in the hospital because it is contrary to the health and hygiene promotion of the Commonwealth Health Center.
At the same time, it has defaced the hospital property as chewers prefer to spit the liquid on hospital floors, walls, parking lots, and elevators instead of spitting it in some 560 trash cans scattered all over the hospital.
