Akash Samaroo
Lead Editor-Politics
Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert is calling on the Government to withdraw its controversial legislation raising the legal ages for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling and instead send it to a Joint Select Committee (JSC) for public consultation.
Imbert made the call during debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, in the House of Representatives yesterday, arguing that the people who would be most affected, particularly young adults, were never given an opportunity to have their say.
“Withdraw this Bill, withdraw this Bill and do public consultation,” Imbert said.
“You could go to a Joint Select Committee, or you could have structured consultations throughout the country with young people. Honour your manifesto. You said you would consult. Consult with them.”
Imbert accused the Government of contradicting Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s pledge, made in her May 2025 swearing-in speech, to prioritise listening to the population.
He estimated that approximately 130,000 people between the ages of 18 and 25 could be directly affected by the legislation, yet said there had been no “formal, structured or known consultation” with them.
He also raised concerns about the Bill’s potential impact on employment, saying the new requirements could create problems for young workers whose jobs require them to handle those products.
He cited bartenders, waiters, supermarket cashiers, shelf packers, brand promoters and delivery workers as examples, arguing the legislation does not provide an employment exception.
Imbert said similar concerns could arise for younger employees in casinos, particularly where their duties involve handling alcohol or tobacco.
