-except for health-approved use
President Irfaan Ali last evening announced plans to clamp down on the importation of vaping products into Guyana, citing concerns over their growing use among children and teenagers and the potential risks to their health.
An order to be signed by Finance Minister Ashni Singh will restrict the importation of all types of vapes, except those approved by the Minister of Health or designated tobacco control authorities.
The proposed restrictions are intended primarily to curb the importation of vaping products for recreational use, while allowing for legitimate medicinal, therapeutic and alternative applications where these are deemed necessary and appropriate by the relevant health authorities.
“The absence of complete knowledge about those long-term effects must not be mistaken for evidence of safety,” Ali said in a video statement on his Facebook page, warning that vaping presents risks to public health.
The President said the decision followed discussions with parents, teachers, children, religious leaders and community leaders, many of whom he said had raised concerns about the accessibility and use of vaping products among schoolchildren and teenagers.
He said the government has a responsibility to protect young people from products that could pose risks to their health and well-being and warned that vaping products can expose users to toxic substances and contribute to nicotine addiction which can affect brain development in children and adolescents. He also highlighted respiratory health concerns and risks associated with exposure during pregnancy.
Although vaping products are often marketed as alternatives to conventional cigarettes, Ali cautioned that they should not be considered harmless. He said the restrictions would also cover vaping products containing alternative substances, with any proposed use as a substitute for cigarettes or for therapeutic purposes requiring approval from the relevant authorities.
“The decision on the qualification has to be done at the level of the Tobacco Control Board,” Ali said, adding that the order would preserve the ability of the Minister of Health and designated tobacco control authorities to approve legitimate applications.
He urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and other community leaders to educate children and young people about the potential dangers of vaping, particularly the risks associated with additives in vaping products.
Ali said the growing use of vaping among school-aged children is a serious concern and that early exposure and easy access could have wider implications for young people’s health and the social environment.
He said Guyana’s planned restrictions were consistent with international efforts to strengthen the regulation of vaping products, noting that several countries had already introduced restrictions on their importation and distribution. He added that other Caribbean leaders were also seeking to address the issue.
The President said the measure was intended to strengthen safeguards and ensure that vaping products were subject to appropriate oversight, while maintaining a pathway for authorised medical and therapeutic uses. “This evening, I believe we are taking a decisive step in protecting our children, protecting our schools, and safeguarding our families, communities, and society.”
The restrictions are to be implemented through the proposed order under the Customs Act.
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