Guam Proposes Ban on Vending Machine Sales of E-Cigarettes

 Recently, the U.S. territory of Guam proposed a pair of bills aimed at banning the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes <\/strong>, and other nicotine products through vending machines, while also providing additional funding for programs dedicated to tobacco and nicotine education, prevention, and treatment.<\/p>

According to recent news from Postguam, the U.S. territory of Guam has proposed a bill aimed at banning the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products through vending machines, while also providing additional funding for programs dedicated to tobacco and nicotine education, prevention, and treatment. <\/p>

Bill 187-37 will stipulate that anyone selling tobacco, e-cigarette devices, e-cigarette-related products, or nicotine through vending machines will be considered illegal.<\/strong> <\/p>

According to the Guam Epidemiological Profile report from August 2023, tobacco consumption in Guam remains higher than in the U.S. for both adults and teenagers. Despite an overall decline, Guam still has a high smoking rate compared to other states and territories. <\/p>

The bill states: “Over the past decade, the decline in tobacco and nicotine use in Guam has been due to strengthened local policies, enforcement efforts, and increased taxation. Therefore, we hope to continue creating a safe barrier for Guam's youth by prohibiting the sale of tobacco, nicotine, e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette-related products in vending machines.” <\/p>

Bill 186-37 updates the usage regulations related to tobacco fees and fines, as well as provisions related to the “Youth Tobacco Education and Prevention Fund.”<\/strong> <\/p>

Current law stipulates that 30% of tobacco-related fines and fees should be allocated to the off-island sports fund; 20% should be allocated to the “Health and Human Services Fund”; and the remaining 50% should be allocated to the “Youth Tobacco Education and Prevention Fund.” <\/p>

Bill 186 changes this allocation method, allocating 20% to the “Better Public Service Fund for Tax and Compliance Departments” to help comply with tobacco and nicotine laws and regulations. This also means that tobacco-related fines and fees will no longer be used to fund the “Off-Island Sports Fund.” Bill 186 increases the proportion for 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.<\/p>