Guyana will restrict imports of all vaping products, President Irfaan Ali announced. Exceptions will need health authority approval.
Guyana will restrict the importation of all vapes and vaping products, except those specifically approved by the health minister or tobacco control authorities, President Irfaan Ali announced Saturday evening.
In a live address, Ali said Finance Minister Ashni Singh will soon sign an order under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, putting the restrictions into effect. Approvals will rest with the Minister of Health, the National Tobacco Control Council or the Tobacco Control Board. Ali said the move follows concerns about the widespread and largely unregulated import, sale and use of vaping products, particularly among schoolchildren and teenagers. He said it was informed by consultations with parents, teachers, children, religious leaders and community representatives. Guyana Times reported that alarms were raised recently about easy access to vaping products in retail shops and supermarkets.
Ali said vaping products, though often marketed as alternatives to cigarettes, are not harmless. He said they can expose users to toxic substances, risk nicotine addiction and affect brain development in young people. He added that exposure during pregnancy poses risks to the developing fetus and that there are concerns about respiratory health. He said the lack of complete knowledge about long-term effects must not be mistaken for evidence of safety. He cited World Health Organization warnings, including estimates that at least 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes worldwide, as reported by the Guyana Chronicle.
The restrictions will not block legitimate medicinal, therapeutic or alternative uses, Ali said, but importing them will first require approval from the relevant health authorities. The Tobacco Control Board will decide how products qualify for exemptions. Ali also urged parents, religious leaders and teachers to educate young people about the dangers of vaping, especially products containing additives.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the announcement. It said the restrictions’ effectiveness will depend on clear rules, consistent enforcement and engagement with affected businesses. The chamber called for stronger monitoring at ports of entry, clearly defined import and exemption procedures, and action against unauthorized distribution to prevent illicit trade. The Guyana Dharmic Sabha and a Muslim community group have also backed the move, local media reported.
Information for this report was provided by the Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times.