DESPITE the no smoking law recently implemented, some government and private company employees told this reporter they can still smoke whenever they want to.
The employees, who declined to be identified, said like chewing betel nut, they can also smoke without being caught.
“I smoke when I am in my car outside the office,” a government employee said.
Her co-workers also smoke with her and they see no problems with it because “it’s their car and it’s private property.”
Benson Cruz, a resident of Garapan, said he smokes at the pavilions on Beach Road without worrying about getting caught and being fined $200.
He said some of his friends also smoke with him while fishing or when having a barbecue at the beach.
Another government employee said he “puffs up in the restroom at his office.”
“As long as nobody sees it and as long as you bother nobody then there is no problem with it,” he said.
Some residents said they see some government employees smoking right outside their office in Susupe.
“I see women smoking in that area and it’s terrible because the Department of Public Safety and the courts are just a block or so away from them,” a resident said.
Public Law 16-46 prohibits smoking at government facilities and public places as well as in areas available to and customarily used by the general public.
Any person who violates the law will be fined $200 and will be required to complete a mandatory tobacco prevention and/or cessation course.
Owners of establishments where the violation took place will be fined $500 and their business license will be revoked.
