Following an announcement by President Irfaan Ali recently that the government would be placing restrictions on the importation of vaping products into Guyana, pointing out the growing concerns over their use among children and young people, as well there being potential risks to public health, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday signed the Order, which was then published in the Official Gazette.
President Ali had noted in his public announcement that his government was prompted by concerns raised by parents, teachers, religious leaders and other members of society about the widespread and unregulated importation, sale and use of vaping products in Guyana.
He further stated that “..as a responsible government, as a listening government, we have a duty to protect public health, particularly the health and well-being of our children and young people and to ensure that products presenting potential risks to consumers are subject to appropriate oversight and control.”
President Ali had also pointed to concerns raised about nicotine addiction, its potential effects on brain development in children and adolescents, risks during pregnancy as well as effects on respiratory and mental health.
“The absence of complete knowledge about those long-term effects must not be mistaken for evidence of safety,” he warned.
The Head of State noted that following discussions on the matter with teachers, parents and children, concerns were raised about vaping among teenagers and schoolchildren and therefore he urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and community leaders to educate children and young people about the dangers of the practice of vaping, and in particular, the risks associated with additives.
“We have to protect our children, we have to protect our schools, we have to protect our society,” he had said.
Listed in the Official Gazette as an Order ‘which amends the Second Schedule to the Customs Act’, or ‘Customs (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order 2026, restricts ‘vaping products, vaping devices, vaping components and vaping substances, except where their importation is approved in writing by the Minister responsible for Health’.
The Order also states that the Minister (of Health) shall not grant approval unless the vaping products are intended for use in scientific research, training or for medical purpose’.
In the Order, vaping products were listed to mean ‘a vaping device, a vaping component or a vaping substance, whether or not it contains, or is intended for use with nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, a cannabinoid or and other substance, and by whatever name, brand, shape, size or form it is described, presented or sold’.
Meanwhile ‘vaping device’ was listed in the Order to mean any device or article, whether disposable, rechargeable or refillable that:
- Uses a battery, an electric current or any other source of energy not involving combustion to heat, vaporise, aerosolize or atomise any substance or material in any form, including a liquid, oil, distillate, gel, wax, resin, salt, crystal, powder or plant material and
2. Produces an aerosol, vapour or mist for inhalation by drawing on the device or through a mouthpiece, and includes an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic pipe, vape pen, pod device, box mod, dab pen and dry-herb vaporizer, and any other device or article used, intended to be used, or described or marketed as suitable for use, for that purpose’
In terms of ‘vaping substance’ according to the Order this means any substance or mixture, including an e-liquid, oil, distillate, concentrate, wax, resin or gel whether or not it contains nicotine or a cannabinoid, that is packaged, labelled, marketed or intended for use in or with a vaping device.’
The Order further stipulated that the restricted products do not include medical inhalation products, humidifiers, diffusers or similar appliances designed to release vapour or mist into a room or other space and not for direct inhalation from the appliance as well as devices designed and manufactured for the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, disorder or abnormal state of health, or its symptoms as well as other stated health devices.
President Ali had noted further in his announcement on the issue that government’s restriction measure was intended to strengthen safeguards and protect public health while allowing the relevant authorities to approve legitimate medical and therapeutic applications.
