Caribbean: E-cigarette report urges policymakers to discourage youth vaping

A report by the Caribbean NGO Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) recommends that Caribbean countries focus on public policies aimed at discouraging the use of electronic cigarettes by children and adolescents.

The report, released on June 12, 2023 and titled “Vaping among adolescents and youth in the Caribbean: Situation, policy responses and recommended actions,” analyzes the situation regarding the use of e-cigarettes by children and adolescents in the Caribbean. It also discusses policy responses in the region that address this growing problem, as well as best practices to be adopted in this regard.[1].

The 31-page document states that a strong tax policy would have a deterrent effect on the use of vaping products and prevent young people from starting, and that the revenues raised through this measure could be allocated to the budget for health promotion interventions.

According to the report, tax policy should provide for consumption duties that could correspond to a certain percentage (ad valorem) or a fixed part, called a specific tax, or a combination of these two taxes: variable and fixed. This tax should apply to e-liquids used for the consumption of these products, whether or not these e-liquids contain nicotine and this tax should also concern the devices as such. Finally, the type of taxation may depend on the national administrative capacity in the field of taxation.

Priority given to the fight against vaping among young people in the Caribbean

“Tobacco use is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases. In the Caribbean region, as in the rest of the world, progress has been made in reducing tobacco use, particularly among adolescents and young people,” the HCC said. “However, this progress is being undermined by an increase in the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.” The HCC reported that in 2018, e-cigarette use among 13-15 year olds ranged from 4.0 % in Antigua and Barbuda to 11.0 % in Saint Lucia, 11.7 % in Jamaica and 17.2 % in Trinidad and Tobago.

With reference to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the HCC advocates a comprehensive strategy. It calls for a ban on the use of vaping devices in all indoor public spaces, workplaces, public transport and other places where smoking is generally prohibited. Banning flavours other than tobacco flavours is part of the recommended arsenal to prevent the consumption of these products by young people. The HCC also recommends that the legal age of purchase for these products to be sold be increased from 18 to 21 and that protective prohibition laws be strictly enforced. Finally, the authors of the report insist on banning the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

The report highlights several obstacles to preventing and reducing the use of vaping products by young people, including a lack of political will and a lack of education and knowledge about the dangers of these products by various public authorities. Faced with this situation, HCC researchers recommend "raising awareness among political decision-makers to obtain their support, and putting this subject on the political agenda. They also call for targeting adolescents and young people themselves, as well as health personnel, stakeholders in the communities frequented by these young people, in particular the world of education, or even the world of work.

Keywords: Caribbean, vaping, youth, politics, taxes, e-cigarettes, adolescents

HD

[1] Vaping among adolescents and youth in the Caribbean: Situation, policy responses and recommended actions, Healthy Caribbean Coalition, June 12, 2023, accessed June 14, 2023