Widen tobacco ban

Because existing law is not strong enough to deter minors from buying and using tobacco products on the islands, legislation underway in the House of Representatives will raise the age of prohibition from 18 to 21 years old.

Its proponent, Rep. Malua T. Peter, said restricting access to tobacco products will ensure protection of minors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoking which she noted has become a serious threat in the CNMI.

Under House Bill 11-509, Ms. Peter will seek amendments to Public Law 11-75 or the Tobacco Act to tighten penalty against those below 21 years old who are found violating the law with fine of up to $2,000, a one-year imprisonment or community service of not more than 350 hours.

“The future of the Commonwealth must be protected from such dangerous habits. The purpose of this act is to [raise] the age in the end result to dramatically decrease unhealthy lifestyles by our youth population,” said the representative in her proposal.

Penalties and fines for illegal sales of tobacco will also be increased, from a mere $1,000 fine for first offense to not less than one year revocation of business license by the establishments, such as retail stores and vending machines.

These amendments have been proposed to the law signed last March by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, which was intended to strictly enforce a ban on tobacco use among minors, including an increase in penalties for people who buy or sell cigarettes to children.

Proponents of the legislation had defended the measure, saying it would help curb the growing incidence of use of tobacco products by youths in the CNMI which they believed continues to rise despite enforcement of an earlier law.

Although there has been no reports of violators since the approval of the law, lawmakers have expressed concern that some teenagers may be using tobacco products because of lax enforcement and that the age limit is not sufficient to discourage them from smoking.

One House member said some stores would sell tobacco products without requiring an identification card to minors who may look older than his or her age.

There are no government estimates how widespread is the tobacco use by minors in the Northern Marianas. A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine says 16 million packs of cigarettes are consumed by minors in the United States every year and half of those are illegally sold to underage persons.

The Department of Public Health has strongly lobbied for the approval of a wider ban on tobacco use by minors due to increasing number of youths smoking cigarettes in school premises.

While Commonwealth laws consider 18 years as age of reason — like they can vote in elections, entertainment establishments generally prohibit entry to persons below 21 years old.