Public Health Director Dr. Richard Brostrom allayed fears of some senators that the measure would not be good for the tourism-based economy of the CNMI.
“This is good for the economy. I tell you this will not hurt the economy,” said Brostrom who was among those who testified before the Senate in support of House Bill 16-47 which Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, sponsored.
Brostrom, who was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior for his humanitarian mission to help fight tuberculosis in Nepal, said enacting the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2008 will help the economy because residents will become healthier, therefore, reducing the burden on public health care.
He said different studies showed that heart attacks and strokes went down in states where the smoke-free law is followed.
George Cruz, the president of the Commonwealth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and Diabetes Prevention Coalition, said passing the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2008 will be the 16th Legislature’s legacy to the people of the CNMI.
He said the House of Representatives is expected to favorably vote on the measure when it convenes.
Under the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2008, all restaurants will be smoke free. Gaming establishments and casinos, however, will be allowed to have smoking areas.
