Betel nut labeling workshop draws wholesaler, retailer concerns

09/11/2025 - The Commonwealth’s Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control Division, under the Department of Commerce, convened distributors, retailers, and community partners last Sept. 10 at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall to outline new requirements under Public Law 24-02, which amends the 2016 Betel Nut Control Act.

ABTC director David R. Maratita said the workshop aimed to clarify labeling, reporting, and compliance rules before the law takes effect on Oct. 1, 2025. 

“It is part of our responsibilities to make sure that the betel nut retailers are informed of this new law and what is expected of this new law that requires the labeling of the betel nut packages and baggies being sold at the retail stores to be labeled with the warning label that is required by law. It is also requiring the stores to label the containers that they're using to put these betel nut bags before they give them out to the customers to choose what sizes or whatnot that they would wish to get from the stores,” he said during an interview with Marianas Press after the workshop.

The Commonwealth Cancer Association, which will supply the required labels free of charge for the first two years, stressed the importance of the law. 

“This is not in any way, shape, or form to ban betel nut. There was a concern about whether this is to ban betel nut— it is not. It is simply putting on a label, a warning label to educate and provide the consumer with an informed decision, with the significant health risk associated with the use of betel nuts,” said CCA board of directors president Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero, while adding that labels would be available for pickup starting Sept. 24, ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline.

But wholesalers and retailers left the session with lingering worries. Grower and wholesaler Crispin Sablan criticized the health warnings as unfairly negative, arguing that research downplays what he considers the cultural and medicinal benefits of betel nut. 

“This is an injustice, culturally and economically, trying to kill the users, who are all indigenous people, Micronesians...We're going to be compliant, but again, it's going to be some things that will affect you guys, the consumers. And I don't think it's fair. So, I'm just saying, you know, to address this issue of economic and cultural injustice,” he said.

Retailer Erin Dela Paz, representing Blue Sky Supermarket and other outlets, said her stores were still unclear on who must apply the labels. 

“For our side, as in our experience, the items just come into our store, then we just sell them as it is. We don't have to do anything with it, or else it will cost us more expenses or time putting those labels on. So, we're kind of worried. But we're just hoping that it will not be us, the retailer. Because from my perspective, it should be the supplier or the wholesaler putting that label on,” she said.

During the workshop, oral cancer survivor and CCA advocate Claudine Atalig said it has been scientifically proven that betel nut is carcinogenic. She added that chewing it can cause cancer, and just like tobacco products or alcohol, chewing it has serious health consequences.

“My diagnosis came as a direct result of years of chewing betel nut. I stand before you today not just as a survivor, but also as a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Today, I want to encourage every one of you as members, as community members, as people who care to join me and the cancer association in the fight against oral cancer. One of the most important parts of our outreach is bringing awareness to the dangers of betel nut. I don't want to become a practitioner of betel nut,” she said.

PL 24-02, which takes effect on Oct. 1, 2025, introduces mandatory health warning labels, stricter storage and display rules, and monthly sales reporting requirements for betel nut. Labels must rotate every six months with clear cancer and pregnancy warnings, modeled after tobacco regulations.

Key provisions also reaffirm age restrictions—18 for betel nut—and license requirements with annual renewal fees. Enforcement will include unannounced inspections and undercover operations, with fines ranging from $100 to $500 for violations, and possible license suspension for repeated offenses.

Maratita acknowledged the concerns and said questions about cost-sharing and sales reporting formats would be reviewed with policymakers. He added that ABTC remains committed to keeping businesses informed and compliant as the law takes effect.

Report by Mark Rabago