National Unity (APNU) has welcomed the Government of Guyana’s announced move to restrict the importation of recreational vaping products, pointing to concerns raised by Opposition Member of Parliament Nima Flue-Bess in the National Assembly months earlier about the ease with which schoolchildren could obtain the products.
In a statement, APNU said Flue-Bess had consistently highlighted the availability of vapes at retail establishments and called for stronger enforcement measures to prevent their sale to minors.
In February, Flue-Bess questioned the relevant minister in the National Assembly about whether police were conducting raids on businesses selling vaping products and what measures were in place to stop children from purchasing them.
“A child could walk in at any age and pick up a vape for as cheap as $1,800 or $2,000 or less, and we would find that those said items will turn up in the school,” Flue-Bess told the Assembly.
She asked whether the police were carrying out checks on businesses and whether any rules prohibited the sale of vaping products to children.
Flue-Bess also pressed the Government on what action would be taken against businesses that continued selling the products despite instructions to stop.
“If these businesses do not desist or comply with the instruction given, and they continue to sell these said social drugs, what steps are being taken to have that corrected?” she asked.
APNU said the Government’s announced restrictions represented an important policy response to concerns Flue-Bess had raised, adding that the development underscored the role parliamentary advocacy could play in bringing public health issues to national attention.
The coalition welcomed the planned restrictions on recreational vape imports, while acknowledging that limited exceptions would be permitted for medicinal, therapeutic and other uses authorised by the relevant health authorities.
The proposed measure comes amid growing concern about the accessibility of vaping products to children and young people, including reports of the items turning up in schools.
APNU said protecting children should not become a political contest and that the public stood to benefit when concerns raised by Opposition representatives received attention.
“When an issue raised by the Opposition receives the attention it deserves, it is the people of Guyana who stand to benefit,” the coalition stated.
The partnership commended Flue-Bess for maintaining pressure on the issue and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies to protect children, strengthen the education system and safeguard young people’s health.
President Irfaan Ali announced the proposed restrictions on October 17, citing concerns about the growing accessibility and use of vaping products among children and young people. The measure is expected to be implemented through an order under the Customs Act, with exemptions subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
The effectiveness of the restrictions will depend on their implementation and enforcement, including how authorities address the availability of vaping products through retail outlets and prevent access by minors.
