Government agencies vow to enforce smoke-free law

Publication Date: 2015-02-22

• Author:Richelle Agpoon-Cabang
• Publication:Marianas Variety

AFTER Variety reported that many individuals were violating the CNMI’s Smoke Free Act which prohibits smoking in public places, government buildings and government-owned vehicles, the Division of Public Health and other government agencies say they are now working "full force" to implement it.

Using a small sub-award from the University of Hawaii USAPI REACH grant, the Non-Communicable Disease Bureau of the Division of Public Health says it will begin educating local businesses regarding P.S. 16-46 or the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2008,

In December, the University of Hawaii, in partnership with the NCD Bureau, hired a part-time local project assistant or LPA to fulfill project goals of increasing access to smoke-free environments and healthy food options for 75 percent of the CNMI adult population by 2017.

According to LPA Kaitlyn Neises, "Drastically improving compliance with P.L. 16-46 is crucial to reaching our goal. We’re developing an educational toolkit and will offer free compliance training to businesses before full enforcement is in place and fines are issued. This year, we are focusing on helping bars, poker rooms and hotel establishments become compliant with the smoke-free air act."

Margarita Aldan, the director of Public Health Services said: "Non-compliance with the smoke-free law is a great concern for the community and impedes the Division of Public Health's mission to achieve optimal health and well-being for the people of the CNMI."

She added "Increasing access to smoke-free air is a priority."...