Guyana to ban recreational vape imports amid concerns over youth use
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Key Points(5)
- The Government of Guyana will ban the importation of vapes and vaping products for recreational use, with President Dr.
- Mohamed Irfaan Ali announcing that an order will soon be signed to address growing concerns about vaping among children and young people.
- During a live video address on Saturday evening, Ali said the order would be issued under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, restricting the importation of all types of vapes except those approved by the minister of health, the National Tobacco Control Council or the Tobacco Control Board.
- He said the decision followed concerns raised by parents, teachers, religious leaders and other members of society about the widespread and unregulated importation, sale and use of vaping products in Guyana.
- “As a responsible government, as a listening government, we have a duty to protect public health, particularly the health and well-being of our children and young people and to ensure that products presenting potential risks to consumers are subject to appropriate oversight and control,” Ali said.
The Government of Guyana will ban the importation of vapes and vaping products for recreational use, with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announcing that an order will soon be signed to address growing concerns about vaping among children and young people.
During a live video address on Saturday evening, Ali said the order would be issued under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, restricting the importation of all types of vapes except those approved by the minister of health, the National Tobacco Control Council or the Tobacco Control Board.
He said the decision followed concerns raised by parents, teachers, religious leaders and other members of society about the widespread and unregulated importation, sale and use of vaping products in Guyana.
“As a responsible government, as a listening government, we have a duty to protect public health, particularly the health and well-being of our children and young people and to ensure that products presenting potential risks to consumers are subject to appropriate oversight and control,” Ali said.
The president warned that although vaping products are often marketed as alternatives to conventional cigarettes, they are not harmless and can expose users to toxic substances.
He highlighted concerns about nicotine addiction, the potential effects of nicotine on brain development in children and adolescents, risks during pregnancy, and possible respiratory and mental health consequences.
“The absence of complete knowledge about those long-term effects must not be mistaken for evidence of safety,” he said.
Ali said he had discussed the issue with teachers, parents and children, describing vaping among teenagers and, in some cases, younger children in schools as a serious concern.
He noted that several countries had already introduced restrictions on vaping products in response to public health concerns.
The planned restrictions will allow for legitimate medicinal, therapeutic and approved alternatives to conventional cigarettes, provided they receive authorization from the relevant health authorities.
Ali said the Tobacco Control Board and the minister of health would determine which products qualify for approval.
He also urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and community leaders to educate children and young people about the dangers of vaping, including risks associated with additives in vaping products.
“We have to protect our children, we have to protect our schools, we have to protect our society,” he said.
Ali said the measure was intended to strengthen public health safeguards while allowing approved medical and therapeutic applications to continue under the oversight of the relevant authorities.
