Ogo bill prohibits e-cigarettes, vapes for minors

Julie A. Ogo

Rep. Julie A. Ogo (Inp-Rota), who chairs the Commerce and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives, is proposing a bill to prohibit the possession and use by minors of any electronic vapor delivery devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, and any liquids, regardless of chemical contents.

After hearing concerns from school administrators, teachers, staff, and constituents about how suspension from school is not discouraging repeated offenses, Ogo is worried that usage may be high enough to be concerning as the research materials she has read warn of harmful effects even if the liquids do not contain nicotine.

From research materials, Ogo found out that chemicals in what is often referred to as “vape juices” and the heating of those “vape juices” create vapors that are not only harmful to the lungs but may lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, high likelihood of smoking regular tobacco, and other major health issues. Urine samples collected from teenage vapers showed high contents of various chemicals that pose a threat to their health (Nemours Children Health, 2021; Center for Disease Control Report, 2021).

Before pursuing any action, however, Ogo surveyed on social media, and the result showed that responders support stricter laws. “I wish there were more respondents to indicate that our people are genuinely interested in participating in their governance, but I am not discouraged,” she said. “Enacting a law prohibiting the possession and use of these items and harsher penalties for violations on the minors, adults, and business establishments is a means to discourage using them, and encourage our community to keep a lookout for each others’ children” Representative Ogo, stated.

She stated further that “the law intends to plug loose ends safeguarding our children from harming themselves. Provisions of education, intervention, and rehabilitation will be a part of the legislation, and the penalty funds collected will be used to support those intents. The end game is not to punish for the sake of punishing but to ensure that the child and parent(s) are in the system where help is available.”

The poll is at: https://pollforall.com/pkx2dnmm

Comments are welcome at kuentosmarianas@gmail.com (PR)