The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trinidad and Tobago Beverage Alcohol Alliance are calling for the proposed legislation to raise the legal age for alcohol consumption to be put on hold, with wider consultation before Parliament proceeds.
The two organisations are urging consideration of a Joint Select Committee to examine the evidence surrounding the proposed age threshold, penalties and enforcement capacity, as well as possible unintended consequences.
The two organisations are among several business groups across the retail, entertainment and gaming sectors raising questions about the practical implications of proposed legislation that would increase the legal age for alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21, while raising the minimum age for gambling and cannabis to 25.
On Monday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that the United National Congress (UNC) Government will bring legislation to Parliament today seeking to amend several laws governing dangerous drugs, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling.
The proposed Bill, titled “An Act to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act, Chap. 11:25, the Registration of Clubs Act, Chap. 21:01, the Tobacco Control Act, Chap. 30:04, the Children Act, Chap. 46:01, the Liquor Licences Act, Chap. 84:10, the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act, 2021 (Act No. 8 of 2021) and the Cannabis Control Act, 2022 (Act No. 10 of 2022),” is expected to introduce significant changes to the existing legal age thresholds.
In a joint statement issued yesterday, the TT Chamber—the country’s largest business group- and the TTBAA said they are particularly urging scrutiny of the potential for the legislation to drive some young people towards “unregulated or illicit sources of alcohol.”
The groups said: “Measures of this significance would benefit from being considered alongside the completed National Alcohol Policy and informed by the national consultation process foreshadowed by the Government.”
The organisations stressed that they support the Government’s objective of protecting young people from underage and hazardous drinking.
The two groups also raised concerns about provisions affecting adults aged 18 to 20, including the nature and proportionality of associated penalties. The TT Chamber and TTBAA also support strong, well-enforced legal purchase-age laws and said they are prepared to implement mandatory ID verification, retailer training and certification across the licensed trade, regardless of the age ultimately determined by Parliament.
They said a Joint Select Committee would give “stakeholders, experts and policymakers” an opportunity to examine the available evidence and assess the practical implications of the proposed measures.
“A structured, evidence-based process can help ensure that the final legislation is practical, proportionate and effective,” the organisations said.
The groups said they are prepared to provide Parliament with comparative evidence and data from other jurisdictions to help identify approaches that are effective and workable in T&T.
Meanwhile, president of the Supermarkets Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT), Kevin Kissoon, said the association acknowledges the Government’s intention to strengthen safeguards around age-restricted products.
But he said moving the age from 18 to 21 would naturally remove a segment of existing customers from the market.
“Raising the minimum age from 18 to 21 would naturally remove a segment of existing customers from the market, although the extent of the impact on sales would depend really on consumer behaviour.” Kissoon said supermarkets already have measures in place to verify customers’ ages, with cashiers trained to request identification when necessary.
“The proposed changes would remove some of the discretion currently involved and therefore make clear procedures and training for employees even more important.”
Kissoon said another area requiring clarification is the position of employees who themselves fall within the new age bracket.
He said this is particularly relevant to cashiers, baggers and seasonal or apprentice employees who may be involved in handling or selling age-restricted products.
Gaming Association and Promoters express concern
The Online Gaming Agents’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (OGAATT) also expressed concerns over the proposed increase in the gambling age from 18 to 25.
Association President Dean Persad said the organisation represents more than 1,200 National Lotteries Control Board agents and that the change would remove a significant segment of their existing customer base.
Persad said the reduction in customers could affect the income of agents and revenue generated through legal gambling.
He also questioned how the proposed law would be enforced, particularly when agents are expected to determine whether a customer is under 25.
“You would not know the age of somebody by looking at them.”
Persad said he was also concerned about the potential impact of the restrictions on legal operators and whether some customers could migrate to illegal gambling.
He argued that age restrictions alone will not resolve the wider problems associated with gambling. “I don’t think this is going to solve the problem.”
Persad called for consultation with the sector and said the association wants an opportunity to work with Government.
He also asked for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss possible alternatives and measures to address illegal gambling.
And the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association (TTPA) said it is concerned about the potential impact of the proposed alcohol age increase on the events industry.
“A change from 18 to 21 could have significant implications for parts of the events sector, particularly events with younger adult audiences, all-inclusive events and Carnival bands.”
However, the association said it does not currently have verified industry-wide data showing what percentage of patrons fall between 18 and 20. The Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association said the impact would also vary depending on the type of event and its main concern is implementation.
“There needs to be clarity on the distinction between attending an event and purchasing or consuming alcohol, particularly at family concerts, festivals and other mixed-age events.”
The association said it also wanted clarity on who would have responsibility for age verification.
“There also needs to be clarity on who carries responsibility for age verification among promoters, venues, security providers, ticketing companies and alcohol vendors. Whatever system is required must be workable at events involving thousands of patrons.”
The association has called for consultation with affected industries and an appropriate transition period before major regulatory changes take effect.
“Depending on the scope of a change, 12 to 18 months should be considered, particularly where promoters, Carnival bands and suppliers have already sold packages, entered contracts or invested based on the existing rules.”
The TTPA added that the events industry is prepared to comply with the law, but said promoters need clear guidance and sufficient time to implement any new requirements.
