Key Points
• Findings: eight retailers sold tobacco or disposable vapes to minors aged 16–20; one lacked the “No Sale Under 21” sign
• Penalties: nine citations issued at $2,000–$4,000; potential penalties up to $20,000 under Public Law 37-90
• Compliance: 97.1% in 2025 vs 94.8% in 2024; above the federal 80% requirement
• Enforcement: GBHWC and DRT conduct random, unannounced checks in all 19 villages
• Program: Merchant Education Outreach Program launched January 2025, including door-to-door visits and materials
2Firsts, January 5, 2026 – According to the Guampdn, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) said that out of 277 eligible tobacco retailers inspected in 2025, eight were found selling tobacco or disposable e-cigarettes or vapes to minors aged 16–20, and one retailer failed to display the mandatory “No Sale Under 21” prohibition sign.
The report said the nine retailers immediately received citations from Guam’s Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Under Public Law 37-90, tobacco violations may be penalized as high as $20,000 depending on the history of citations.
GBHWC said overall tobacco retailer compliance was 97.1% in 2025, higher than the 94.8% reported in 2024, and above the federally mandated rate of over 80%.
On Guam, GBHWC and DRT conduct random and unannounced tobacco retail compliance checks in all 19 villages. The report said both agencies are jointly responsible for carrying out the Tobacco Control Act of 1998 and the Youth Protection Act of 2017 aimed at youth tobacco or nicotine use prevention.
The monitoring activity is mandated by the federal government’s Public Law 102-321, the Synar Amendment, which requires states and territories receiving Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, Recovery Services Block Grant funds to establish and enforce the minimum legal age for purchasing and using tobacco products.
GBHWC director Carissa Pangelinan said the annual monitoring effort is supported through continued collaboration between government agencies and community partners. The report said GBHWC also launched the Merchant Education Outreach Program since January 2025 as a supplemental resource for tobacco and disposable electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products retailers. The program includes door-to-door educational visits, distribution of policy fact sheets and other materials to increase awareness of local regulations and help maintain compliance. Pangelinan said it was the first year the service was offered year-round, allowing engagement with retailers in their own environment, and said the initiatives help safeguard youth from prematurely accessing tobacco and ENDS products at the retail level.
Image courtesy of Rick Cruz/Pacific Daily News.
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