US university funds study on tobacco, betel nut chewing

The University of Washington has sent Saipan’s own Felix Cabrera Jr. to conduct a research study in the CNMI on the risks of tobacco and betel nut chewing among teenagers.

Cabrera disclosed the details of the planned study yesterday at the weekly Saipan Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

The 24-year-old, second-year student at the University of Washington School of Medicine said the university is funding his research, which will run from June 23 until Aug. 6.

Cabrera said he would select at least 40 respondents for the survey.

He took pains to make it clear that he is not attempting to eliminate betel nut chewing in the CNMI. “Rather, we are trying to understand the factors that contribute to the use of tobacco with betel nut, especially in minors.”

The study would also try to find ways to reduce the harm tobacco and betel nut chewing brings, thus providing better health care to the people of the CNMI.

He said the proponents of the study understand the role betel nut plays in CNMI culture and he himself chews betel nut when he is on the island.

Cabrera said he has already started talking to several people about smoking and chewing betel nut.

He said his ultimate goal is for people to chew betel nut responsibly. “Similar to how we currently promote drinking alcohol responsibly, hopefully my research will help point out the best way to chew responsibly.”

Cabrera said the university is funding his study but he is heavily supported by the CNMI Department of Public Health. He said DPH is also providing him an important introduction to the health care system in the CNMI.

“Even with all my studies, there is [still] much that I [need to] learn from the people who have been here before me. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share that is essential to my success in serving our people,” he said

Cabrera said the University of Washington is ranked the No. 1 medical school in the United States, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s yearly graduate school rankings. He said the University of Washington has always been on top since the rankings began 12 years ago.

Cabrera is the son of former Department of Public Safety director Felix Cabrera. He attended high school at Marianas High School but moved to Kentucky where he finished high school. He said for those who are interested or would like to participate in his study, he said he could be reached at his email address potu@u.washington.edu.