HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Thirteen retailers were caught selling tobacco or e-cigarette products to minors during the 2023 annual tobacco retailer compliance inspections.
By law, the legal age to buy tobacco or e-cigarette products is 21, but the stores found in violation of the law were selling to underage customers 16 to 20 years old, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the Department of Revenue and Taxation said in a press release.
“These establishments were thus issued citations and fines consisting of penalties ranging from $1,000 up to $10,000 per violation. This year’s inspections reflect a 94.8% retail compliance rate, maintaining a consistent rate above 90% since 2022,” the agencies said in the release.
A total of 324 tobacco retailers are registered with DRT, all of which are subject to random and unannounced compliance checks by GBHWC and DRT.
“The Synar inspection is an annual prevention initiative that allows the government of Guam to ensure, not only strict compliance among retailers of tobacco and e-cigarette policies, but more importantly, eliminating youths’ access to these products. The longer we delay tobacco and nicotine use by youth, the better we can protect Guam’s population from multiple negative health outcomes and other consequences now and in the future.” GBHWC Director Theresa Arriola said in the release.
The 13 violations found brought down the island’s compliance rate.
“(The) compliance rate in 2023 decreased to 94.8% from 97% in 2022 with the addition of electronic nicotine delivery systems in this year’s inspections,” the agencies said in the release.
The report, however, points toward a more profound issue the island is now faced with as a result of the introduction of e-cigarettes to the market.
“This year’s inspection was the first time that electronic nicotine products were included, as a result of growing concerns about e-cigarette use among Guam’s youth that is above national standards. The increase in violations may imply that prevention work among retailers of e-cigarettes should be focused on in the coming years,” Arriola said.
According to the Guam Department of Education, last school year 98% of tobacco violations among public school students were related to vaping devices, mods or e-cigarettes.
The data collected at the 41 public schools showed there were 1,716 violations related to use, possession or distribution of e-cigarettes, vaping devices or mods. This places the offense in the No. 1 spot of the top five violations reported at schools, according to Post files.
GDOE officials said they believe several factors contributed to the rise in e-cigarette use among minors, including the belief that vaping is less harmful and cheaper than smoking.
A person can be seen blowing vape smoke Aug. 3, 2022, in Hagåtña.
