GEORGETOWN, Guyana — THE Government of Guyana is moving to restrict the importation of vaping products as concerns grow over their use among schoolchildren and young people.
President Irfaan Ali announced on Saturday evening,(Oct. 17), that Senior Finance Minister Ashni Singh will sign an order under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, restricting the importation of vapes of all kinds.
Exceptions may be granted with approval from the minister responsible for health, the National Tobacco Control Council or the Tobacco Control Board.
Ali said the decision follows growing concerns about the widespread, unregulated importation, sale and use of vaping products, with reports raising questions about how easily schoolchildren can obtain vape pens.
“The restrictions that I have authorised are consistent with this broader international effort and indeed in listening to parents, teachers, community leaders, children and society as a whole,” the president said.
He added that the measure is intended to address potential health risks while allowing legitimate medicinal and therapeutic uses to remain under the supervision of the relevant health authorities.
Ali said the government has a responsibility to protect public health, particularly the well-being of children and young people, as vaping becomes an increasing concern in Guyana and elsewhere.
Vaping products, commonly known as e-cigarettes, are not considered safe for children, pregnant women or adults, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency warns that e-cigarette aerosol can contain nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and other potentially harmful substances.
The issue also has implications for the wider Caribbean, where vaping remains a concern among both young people and adults, alongside ongoing efforts to address non-communicable diseases.
Ali noted that although vaping products are often marketed as alternatives to conventional cigarettes, they are not harmless. He also pointed to warnings from the World Health Organization about the potential risks associated with vaping, particularly for children and young people.
“I want to make it very clear that vaping is an issue confronting every society,” he said.
The president stressed that protecting children, pregnant women and older persons must remain a priority, adding that the government cannot ignore the potential consequences of vaping for young people and the education system.
“We cannot pretend that we are unaware of the consequences of vaping on our children, on our school system, teenagers, not only here in Guyana but across the Caribbean and internationally,” Ali said.
He added that leaders across the region are also seeking ways to address the issue as concerns continue to grow over young people's access to vaping products.
