DOZENS of stakeholders involved in the sale of pugua, or betel nut, attended a compliance workshop for Public Law 24-02 on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Crowne Plaza. The event was hosted by the Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division and the Commonwealth Cancer Association.
P.L. 24-02 mandates warning labels for all betel nut products sold, distributed, or imported in the CNMI. Under the law, pugua must “display clear health warnings about arecoline,” which the Legislature identifies as a “known carcinogen.” The law takes effect Oct. 1, with the Department of Commerce responsible for labeling regulation and enforcement.
At the workshop, ABTC Director David Maratita said all betel nut products — including small packages and their containers — must carry warning labels to comply with the law.
“There are two label designs,” he said. “The first, with a black background and red warning sign, must be used from January to June. The second, white with a red warning sign, is used from July to December.”
For the first two years, the Commonwealth Cancer Association will provide free labels to retailers. Maratita emphasized that it is the retailer’s responsibility to affix the labels to pugua products.
“Non-compliance could result in suspension or revocation of your pugua sales license,” he said.
He added that businesses must also submit a monthly sales report to the Department of Commerce by the fifth of each month. This report is separate from existing alcohol and tobacco sales reports.
P.L. 24-02 mirrors display regulations in P.L. 19-66, the Betel Nut Control Act of 2015, which requires pugua to be kept behind the cashier’s counter. Maratita said most businesses currently are in minor non-compliance with display rules, but no citations have been issued yet.
“Starting Oct. 1, we will conduct undercover operations to ensure compliance with P.L. 24-02 and P.L. 19-66,” he said.
One retail vendor expressed concern over the labeling requirement: “Everything is already labeled, so I’m not sure why this is the retailer’s responsibility. It should be the distributor’s or supplier’s job. We should only ensure that the product we receive is labeled properly.”
For more information, contact the Commonwealth Cancer Association at 670-682-0051/2 or the Department of Commerce at 670-664-3000.
Public Law 24-02 mandates the use of two different warning labels on pugua sold in the CNMI.
ABTC Director David Maratita displayed this slide, which demonstrates non-compliant and compliant displays of pugua.
Dozens of stakeholders attend a workshop regarding mandated pugua labels on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Crowne Plaza.
