Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is defending the Government’s decision to raise the legal age limits for gambling, marijuana, alcohol and tobacco, while launching a scathing attack on the Opposition PNM and Independent senators who voted against the legislation.
In a social media post following the Senate’s passage of the Bill, Persad-Bissessar said the Government bench voted in favour of the legislation, while the PNM and Independent senators voted against it.
The Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026 was passed early Wednesday morning by a 15-12 vote.
The legislation raises the legal age for alcohol and tobacco use to 21, while the minimum age for gambling and cannabis use will be 25.
Persad-Bissessar criticised the PNM, accusing the party of failing to support measures aimed at protecting young people.
She also took aim at the nine Independent senators, referring to them as “scumbag President’s senators” and accusing them of opposing legislation intended to benefit children and young people.
The Prime Minister said their position was consistent with what she described as previous opposition to legislation benefiting children, pointing to their votes against expanding the Children’s Life Fund.
Persad-Bissessar said the Government would continue to pass legislation aimed at benefiting law-abiding citizens and reiterated her commitment to protecting young people.
She said the Bill will now be sent to the President for proclamation and is expected to be operationalised in early 2027.
