CNMI Youth Congress: ‘Our generation are the guinea pigs of vaping’

Last Monday, Senators of the CNMI Youth Congress gathered at the House Chamber to review two proposed bills to the legislature. Youth Congress Bill 20-02, primarily backed by Youth Senator and Speaker Vinnie Sablan, proposed the restriction of access to vaporizers and vape products to school-aged children in the CNMI.

Sen. Sablan said, "Young people are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction and reducing access helps prevent long-term health risks [...] Most importantly, it reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to protecting young people and promoting safer and healthier communities."

Citing anecdotal reports of school-children as young as 2nd to 3rd grade caught in possession of e-cigarettes on school campuses, Youth Sen. Ayden Yumul commented, "Our generation are the guinea pigs of vaping."

With five members participating, the motion was formally moved and seconded to adopt YCB 20-02 to the legislative floor.

YCB 20-03 (introduced by Sen. Sablan and co-authored by Youth Senator and Vice-Speaker Monique Mendiola) was also introduced to "promote mental health awareness throughout all secondary schools in the CNMI" as well as providing crisis and support resources to CNMI student ID cards. "Mental health [is] one of the biggest priorities right now, for a lot of us," said Sablan.

Sen. Yumul agreed with the sentiments provided by Sablan, "The class of 2026… experienced the hardships of[Supertyphoon Sinlaku], having to think about - when are we gonna go back to school, what our grades look like, am I gonna graduate this year […] and how can I help my family recover from this typhoon? I think this bill would address and at least put [mental health awareness] out there."

Quoting Senator Yumul during an earlier discussion, Sen. Sablan says, "Just like Mr. Yumul said about [YCB 20-02], if we can help at least three people, it's better than helping none."

All five participating members of the Congress voted unanimously to adopt YCB 20-03. On Thursday, July 2nd at 10:00am, the Youth Congress will hold a public session to further discuss the passing of the proposed legislation at the House Chamber.