Attorney General John Jeremie SC says the Government’s proposed legislation is aimed at protecting young adults from the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling.
Piloting the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, he said persons aged 25 and over would continue to be permitted to possess cannabis within legal limits and cultivate up to four cannabis plants, with age to be verified through the use of identification.
“Penalties are to be increased for contravention of specified provisions of Part Two of the Act, including smoking or using cannabis or cannabis resin in a public space, engaging in acts which constitute negligence or professional misconduct whilst under the influence of cannabis and possession of cannabis or cannabis resin on school buses, premises where children are present for educational purposes or any sporting or cultural activity.”
The legislation empowers police to issue fixed penalty notices where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person under the age of 25 has committed specified cannabis-related offences.
It also amends the Registration of Clubs Act, barring people under 25 from club membership, except in certain circumstances.
“Amend the Registration of Clubs Act to prohibit membership in clubs by persons under the age of 25, save where the club is primarily devoted to some athletic purpose, and to bar gambling by this cohort of persons on club premises.”
Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act would also raise the minimum age for the sale and possession of tobacco products to 21.
“Consistent with the global trends that I have identified, to require clear signage of that prohibition and to permit the sale of individual units of smoked tobacco products only to persons over the age of 21.”
The Liquor Licences Act would prohibit people under 25 from accessing amusement games on licensed premises.
“It is further proposed inter alia that the penalties for the unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor, the sale of intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 21, and the use of children in the purchase or delivery of alcohol be increased. It would also be an offence to permit children to be on premises where intoxicating liquor is sold or consumed.”
Under amendments to the Gambling, Gaming and Betting Act, people under 25 would be prohibited from gambling.
The Bill would also increase penalties for certain breaches and introduce fixed penalties for specified offences.
“To increase penalties for failure to post and maintain required signage and to criminalise inviting, causing or permitting a person under the age of 25 to gamble or to enter gambling premises.”
The Bill also increases penalties for the unauthorised use of medicinal cannabis.
“To provide that a sacramental dispensary shall only dispense to a person over the age of 25 and to prohibit the dispensing of cannabis to a person under the age of 25 at a place of worship, a sacramental dispensary or an exempt event.”
The Attorney General said the proposed measures form part of a broader effort to address behaviours linked to Non-Communicable Diseases and addiction, particularly among younger people.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath said legislation raising the legal age for the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, as well as gambling, will not take effect until 2027.
Speaking to reporters just before the sitting of the Lower House on Wednesday, he said the Bill contains a clause allowing a transition period before implementation.
“The Bill has a proclamation clause, and the Government’s position on this is that the Bill will not come into effect until 2027, and therefore that gives us the opportunity to work on several of the operational issues and smoothen out and iron out those issues that have been identified as related to the fines and so on. So when the Bill is passed later today, it will not come into effect automatically. There will be a transition period, and that transition period is expected to take us into 2027.”