By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
WITH its committees on education and health and welfare jointly adopting Youth Congress Bill 20-02 to reduce access to vaporizers among school-age children, the 20th Youth Congress on Tuesday took action aimed at preventing vaping in schools.
All members of the two committees voted to adopt Y.C.B. 20-02 for action by the Youth Congress at its next session.
Present were Standing Committee on Education Chairman Youth Sen. Ayden Sean C. Yumul; Standing Committee on Health and Welfare Chairman Youth Sen. Edward U. Maratita III; Youth Congress Vice Speaker Monique Lou’isa Mendiola; Youth Sen. Christopher James Dela Cruz; and Youth Sen. Matthew Salas.
Authored by Salas, Y.C.B. 20-02 proposes to reduce access to and possession of vaporizers and vaporizable products among school-age children in the CNMI.
Prior to the roll call vote, Salas said the bill is important because it protects the health and well-being of minors by limiting access to vaporizers. He said young people are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction, and reducing access helps prevent long-term health risks.
By restricting both access and possession, he said, the measure bolsters existing efforts to reduce youth vaping and reflects the CNMI’s commitment to protecting young people and promoting a safer, healthier community.
Yumul said in high schools and even in elementary school, he has heard of instances where students as young as third grade have been vaping.
“That’s really concerning to me,” he said.
Youth Congress bills, when passed, are forwarded to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature for disposition.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
