PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — The age for consuming alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling in Trinidad and Tobago could soon be increased to 21 and 25 as the government plans to introduce legislation in Parliament on September 30 to amend the current laws.

The development was announced by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in a social media post on September 28.

Persad-Bissessar stated her intensions to raise the age of drinking, using cannabis and gambling during her 2025 General Election campaign.

In her September 28 statement, the Prime Minister said there is a “pressing and undeniable need” to shield Trinidad and Tobago’s young people from the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, along with gambling.

“I am resolute in my duty to protect and safeguard the young people of Trinidad and Tobago, the future custodians of our beloved nation, from the pernicious consequences that result from the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other dangerous drugs,” she said.

“It is incumbent upon me, as your Prime Minister, to bring measures that will safeguard the health, welfare and future of our young people, and to enact provisions that will decisively curtail the scourge of substance abuse and the hazards of gambling among them.”

The proposed amendments would affect the Dangerous Drugs Act, Registration of Clubs Act, Tobacco Control Act, Children Act, Liquor Licences Act, Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act and Cannabis Control Act.

Under the proposal, the minimum legal age for the sale, purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol and tobacco would increase from 18 to 21.

For cannabis, the proposed minimum age would increase from 18 to 25.

The minimum permissible age for gambling would also be raised to 25.

Trinidad and Tobago will join the United States, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt and Oman as countries where the drinking age is 21 and over. If approved, Trinidad and Tobago’s gambling law would be among the highest in the world, alongside Uganda.