A bill prohibiting the sale of betel nut to minors in the Northern Marianas has been signed into law by Governor Ralph Torres.
Chewing betel nut can give the user a mild feeling of euphoria as well as staining the teeth. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The law bans the sale, offer or giving of betel nut to minors.
Mr Torres said the law would help address the problem of oral cancer in the CNMI and although it won't stop youth from getting betel nuts from the thousands of trees in the islands, it can at least monitor their sale in shops.
The bill's sponsor Deleon Guerrero said aside from the law the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation can also help the campaign against oral cancer and betel but chewing by coming up with awareness campaigns in schools and out in the public.