According to Postguam, a recent report reveals that a bill has been proposed in the US territory of Guam. This bill aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products through vending machines. Additionally, it seeks to allocate extra funds towards programs dedicated to tobacco and nicotine education, prevention, and treatment.
The Bill No. 187-37 will stipulate that selling tobacco, e-cigarette devices, e-cigarette-related products, or nicotine through vending machines will be considered illegal.
According to the epidemiological overview report of Guam state in August 2023, the tobacco consumption in Guam is still higher than that of the United States, regardless of whether it is for adults or teenagers. Despite an overall decrease, Guam still maintains a higher smoking rate compared to other states and regions.
The bill states, "In the past decade, the decline in tobacco and nicotine use in Guam can be attributed to strengthened local policies, enforcement efforts, and increased taxation. Therefore, it is hoped that by prohibiting the sale of tobacco, nicotine, e-cigarettes, and related products through vending machines on Guam, a safe barrier can be created for the island's youth.
Bill No. 186-37 has revised the regulations pertaining to tobacco fees and fines, as well as the provisions regarding the "Youth Tobacco Education and Prevention Fund.
According to current legislation, 30% of fines and fees related to tobacco should be allocated to the Island Sports Fund, while 20% should be designated for the Health and Human Services Fund. The remaining 50% should be allocated to the Youth Tobacco Education and Prevention Fund.
Bill number 186 has made changes to this allocation method, allocating 20% to the "Taxation and Compliance Department's Better Public Services Fund" to assist in enforcing tobacco and nicotine laws and regulations. This also means that fines and fees related to tobacco will no longer be used to fund the "Offshore Sports Fund." Bill number 186 raises the proportion of the "Health and Human Services Fund" to 30%, which will also be used to provide tobacco and nicotine education and prevention services, as well as comprehensive cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer care.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
