HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Guam Youth Congress Rep. Kyan Toh introduced Bill 10-34 (COR), the Stop Addiction through Vaping Excise Act of 2023, or S.A.V.E. Act.
This legislation aims to impose a tax on all vaping products sold in Guam to reduce the usage of nicotine devices among the island’s youth. If the S.A.V.E. Act becomes law, vaping products will be regulated similarly to cigarettes and tobacco products.
Toh is joined by seven co-sponsors, including Reps. Zulu Rachael Cho, Austin Fortuno, Kaitlyn Galindez, Julie Laxamana, Billy Mann, Vinh Nguyen and Nathan Paz. The bill was approved by the Committee on Rules and was referred to the Committee on Health & Human Services and Gender Affairs.
The S.A.V.E. Act is modeled after the Tobacco Control Act of 2006.
Vaping among Guam’s youth is a major concern as it is becoming more prevalent on school campuses. According to the 2021 Guam State Epidemiological Profile, Guam’s youth have the highest rate (49.6%) of ever and current use among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, vaping is the most prevalent form of tobacco use for Guam’s youth. Guam Youth Congress members hope that by setting an excise tax of 40% on vaping products, which include vaping devices and paraphernalia sold in Guam, consumers will be less incentivized to purchase and use these harmful substances.
“It is simple economics: As the price of a good increases, the demand decreases. That is exactly what we are trying to accomplish for vaping products with the S.A.V.E Act,” Toh said. “Vaping has become an epidemic amongst my fellow youth. … While several steps have been made to help reduce the usage of vaping products, there needs to be comprehensive reform that will have lasting impacts on deterring the use of these products.”
The S.A.V.E. Act also seeks to establish a licensing program that would require retailers and wholesalers of vaping products to possess a license from the Department of Revenue and Taxation. Additionally, the legislation looks to create a new revenue stream for the government of Guam by disbursing the tax revenues into five special revenue funds.
The bill, in its current form, states that of the tax revenues collected:
• 35% shall be deposited into the Healthy Futures Fund.
• 25% shall be deposited into the Territorial Educational Facilities Fund.
• 15% shall be deposited into the Police Services Fund.
• 15% shall be deposited into the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
• 10% shall be deposited into the Department of Revenue and Taxation.
“I am hopeful that we can reduce youth vaping once and for all. I am optimistic that with the help of my colleagues and senators, the Guam Youth Congress and Guam Legislature can work together to codify this vital, important and urgent act. It will not be easy, but I am committed to doing everything possible to advance this measure,” Toh added.
A person blows a cloud of smoke as he vapes Monday Aug. 14, 2023, in Hagåtña.
