Students from the CO355 Communication Field Experience class taught by Lilnabeth Somera, Ph.D., held a forum to discuss Bill 141-33, or the Youth Protection Act, on Dec. 1.

Through raising the smoking age from 18 to 21, the proposed bill seeks to decrease Guam’s youth’s risks of engaging in behaviors harmful to their overall health and well-being.

One of the guest speakers in attendance was Vice Speaker Benjamin Joseph “BJ” Cruz. Cruz introduced the smoking bill.

According to statistics, Guam ranks second nationwide in the rate of adult smokers, tied with Kentucky.

Also in attendance were Student Government Vice President Samantha David and Peter Cruz, tobacco cessation counselor from the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

When asked about the challenges faced by ensuring that UOG is a smoke-free campus, David said that self-enforcement was the primary course of action. Students would need to remind their peers that smoking is not allowed on campus.

In the event that self-enforcement is not effective, she said that G4S securty personnel and the proper authorities would be notified. Currently, there is no group on campus that is trained to enforce the smoking ban.

However, BJ Cruz believes that the biggest challenge is money. He stated that the tobacco companies are entwined with the government, which leaves little room to enact change.