By FRANCIS JOSEPH
President of the Senate, Wade Mark, did not have to use his casting vote to break a deadlock.
When the vote was put to the Senate early Wednesday morning, the 15 Government Senators voted for the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026. The six Opposition Senators voted against the bill, while six of the nine Independent Senators voted against the Bill, with three abstentions.
The Independent Senators voted this way:
Anthony Vieira SC – No
Sophia Chote SC – No
Dr Marlene Attz – Abstained
Michael Simon de la Bastide – No
Candice Jones Simmons – No
Francis Lewis – Abstained
Dr Desiree Murray – No
Alicia Lalite Ettienne – Abstained
Zola Phillips – No.
As a result of the 15-12 vote, the Bill was passed.
The Bill raises the legal age for drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco in Trinidad and Tobago to 21, and for gambling and cannabis use to 25.
It was the third major piece of legislation in recent weeks for which the Government had to rely on the full strength of its Senate bench after failing to secure a “yes” vote from either the Opposition or Independents.
Both the Special Operations Bill and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill resulted in 15-15 ties and required Mark to exercise his casting vote for them to pass.
In winding up the debate, Attorney General John Jeremie SC made an appeal to the Independent Senators to support the objective of the legislation even if they did not consider it perfect.
In making his case, Jeremie recalled the late Independent Senator Dana Seetahal SC and her approach when Parliament debated tobacco-control legislation years ago. He said Seetahal (who was murdered on May 4, 2014) was a heavy smoker but nevertheless supported restrictions on tobacco because she believed in the objective of the legislation.
The AG said, “This is a chimney smoker telling me that, okay, this is a good piece of legislation, I support the objective, it’s not going to make my life easier, but I would support it. I want to urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to consider the fact that, one, no piece of legislation is perfect.”
Among the issues raised by Senator Vieira was why an 18-year-old, who is legally an adult and can vote, marry, enter contracts and join the protective services, should no longer be considered old enough to legally purchase alcohol.
Jeremie said the age limits were regulatory measures and said the decision to increase the drinking age was supported by medical evidence. “The legal age to drink alcohol in a number of territories throughout the world has been lifted to 21 on the back of medical evidence.”
