There should be little disagreement with the objective behind the Government’s proposed legislation: protecting young people from substance abuse, gambling and the consequences of early exposure to addictive behaviours.
The proposed amendments to the Liquor Licences Act, Tobacco Control Act and Cannabis Control Act would raise the legal age for purchasing alcohol and tobacco to 21, while setting the minimum age for gambling and cannabis use at 25.
Any effort aimed at safeguarding young people and giving them a stronger foundation for success deserves support in principle. The intentions outlined by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar appear rooted in a legitimate concern for the well-documented risks associated with early exposure to addictive behaviours.
However, the proposals also raise important questions that warrant broader national discussion.
Chief among them is the apparent inconsistency in how the State defines adulthood. At 18, citizens can vote, marry, legally consent to sex and become parents. They can make life-altering decisions and assume significant personal responsibilities. Yet under the proposed changes, those same adults would be deemed too young to legally purchase alcohol, tobacco, cannabis or participate in gambling.
The issue is not that every right and responsibility must begin at the same age. Governments are entitled to establish different thresholds when there are compelling public health reasons to do so. But where different age limits are applied, the rationale should be clearly explained and supported by evidence.
Around the world, age restrictions vary considerably. The legal drinking age, for example, ranges from 16 to 21, while gambling and tobacco laws differ across jurisdictions. There is also evidence that age restrictions can work. Research from the United States has linked a minimum drinking age of 21 to reductions in underage drinking and alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
Yet policies that succeed elsewhere cannot simply be transplanted into Trinidad and Tobago without considering local realities. Laws are only as effective as their enforcement.
That brings us to perhaps the most important question: how will these measures be enforced?
Trinidad and Tobago already has an 18-year minimum age for alcohol consumption, but compliance has long been a concern. Alcohol remains readily accessible to many underage persons, particularly during major social events and festivals.
The Government has suggested mandatory identification requirements as part of the solution. But practical questions remain. Will authorities have the resources to conduct inspections and enforce penalties? How will informal sales be monitored? What safeguards will protect privacy? And what prevents younger people from obtaining alcohol or tobacco through older friends or relatives?
These questions are especially relevant with Divali, Christmas and Carnival approaching, periods traditionally associated with increased alcohol consumption and large public celebrations.
The objective of creating a healthier and more responsible youth population is one that should enjoy broad public support. But legislation cannot be merely symbolic. If the Government intends to introduce new age thresholds for different activities, it must not only explain why they are necessary but also demonstrate how they will be effectively and consistently enforced.
