Trinidad and Tobago proposes higher legal ages for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling
Key Points(5)
- The Trinidad and Tobago Government is proposing to raise the minimum legal age for alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21, while increasing the legal age for cannabis and gambling from 18 to 25.
- Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the proposed changes Monday, saying the measures are intended to strengthen protections for young people.
- The government is expected to introduce a bill in Parliament on Wednesday to amend several laws, including the Dangerous Drugs Act, Tobacco Control Act, Liquor Licences Act, Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act and Cannabis Control Act.
- Under the proposed amendments, the minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol and tobacco would increase from 18 to 21.
- The minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of cannabis would rise from 18 to 25, while the minimum age for gambling would also increase from 18 to 25.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government is proposing to raise the minimum legal age for alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21, while increasing the legal age for cannabis and gambling from 18 to 25.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the proposed changes Monday, saying the measures are intended to strengthen protections for young people.
The government is expected to introduce a bill in Parliament on Wednesday to amend several laws, including the Dangerous Drugs Act, Tobacco Control Act, Liquor Licences Act, Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act and Cannabis Control Act.
Under the proposed amendments, the minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol and tobacco would increase from 18 to 21.
The minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of cannabis would rise from 18 to 25, while the minimum age for gambling would also increase from 18 to 25.
Persad-Bissessar said the government was acting to protect young people from the effects of early exposure to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs, as well as gambling.
“These measures are not arbitrary,” the prime minister said, describing them as part of the government’s commitment to the health and safety of young people.
The proposed cannabis age limit is higher than the 21-year threshold Persad-Bissessar announced in January, according to TTT News. She had previously said the government intended to raise the legal age for cannabis from 18 to 21.
The government’s proposed legislation would amend seven pieces of legislation: the Dangerous Drugs Act, Registration of Clubs Act, Tobacco Control Act, Children Act, Liquor Licences Act, Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act 2021 and Cannabis Control Act 2022.
The changes remain proposals until the legislation is passed and comes into force.
