Free Choice Vs. Health Concerns At Issue In Debate Over Cruz Bill to Ban Certian Nicotine Products
Guam – Guam News
Guam – Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz’s measure to ban the importation and sale of certian nicotine products on Guam was the focus of the morning session at the Guam legislature today [Monday].
The debate over Cruz’s Bill #159 revolved around the negative health impact of certian nicotine products versus some Senators concerns about the right to choose products that may help them quit smoking.
The measure would ban the importation of ingestible tobacco film strips, tobacco sticks, nicotine water and other nicotine products. Vice Speaker Cruz asked his fellow lawmakers for unanimous support of the bill.
“This is a very simple bill, it just says these products … can not and will not be imported onto this island because we the people of Guam have decided that we’re not going to allow the cigarette companies to addict another one or two of our generations so that they can continue to reap benefits from our children and deprive us of them having a full life,”
However, Senator Telo Taitague rose in opposition to the bill arguing that the products help people quit smoking and island resident should be allowed to choose.
“What are we going to do next? Cut off their hands? what kind of country are we?” asked Taitague. “Do not take away the one thing these individuals who know they have a problem … and that’s smoking … the avenue by which they can try and quit. give them that choice. Lets not stop putting legislation that’s going to make choices for them.”
Senators Aguon, Palacios and Speaker Won Pat also rose in support of the bill.
However Senator Respicio raised concerns about the measure saying that it would deprive island residents the right to buy products they may need to help them quit smoking.
But Cruz, in his rebuttal, countered that his measure would not ban products meant to help people quit smoking. Its aim he said is to ban those products meant to entice young people into nicotine addiction.
Bill # 159 was moved to the third reading file.
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<a href="http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6146:debate-between-free-choice-vs-health-concerns-debate-over-cruz-bill-to-ban-nicotine-products&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content”>Free Choice Vs. Health Concerns At Issue In Debate Over Cruz Bill to Ban Certian Nicotine Products