Smoking in Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, smoking is allowed and tobacco products are regulated. Cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and are legally permitted for sale and smoke. Notably, not all forms of tobacco advertising are banned. Cigarettes can be imported for trade with a proper license and can be purchased in person, however, they are not allowed to be bought online or through vending machines. Additionally, health warnings on cigarette packaging are required, and the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years. Legal restrictions on smoking in public places are also in place. Cigarettes in Trinidad and Tobago are subject to a total taxation rate of 27.55%, with an excise tax component of 16.44%. Prevalence data are missing but in 2024, there were approximately 157,000 current smokers in the country. In 2021, smoking led to 892 deaths in Trinidad and Tobago, including 689 deaths among males and 203 among females. This represents that smoking consisted 5.37% of all deaths in the country, including 7.15% of male deaths and 2.91% of female deaths.
Read articles from Trinidad and Tobago
October 06, 2025 by dominicanewsonline.com
OP-ED: Big Tobacco calls it harm reduction, Caribbean youth calls it profiting from addiction
The Caribbean is being targeted by groups like the World Vapers’ Alliance and Smoke Free Sweden as part of an industry push to weaken tobacco control ahead of the WHO FCTC COP11 meeting. Recent articles and campaigns in Barbados and Trinidad promote industry narratives disguised as “harm reduction,” claiming e-cigarettes and similar products are safer alternatives. In reality, these products are addictive, heavily marketed to youth, and linked to higher risks of cigarette smoking, with unclear long-term health effects.
October 06, 2025 by dominicanewsonline.com
OP-ED: Big Tobacco calls it harm reduction, Caribbean youth calls it profiting from addiction
The Caribbean is being targeted by groups like the World Vapers’ Alliance and Smoke Free Sweden as part of an industry push to weaken tobacco control ahead of the WHO FCTC COP11 meeting. Recent articles and campaigns in Barbados and Trinidad promote industry narratives disguised as “harm reduction,” claiming e-cigarettes and similar products are safer alternatives. In reality, these products are addictive, heavily marketed to youth, and linked to higher risks of cigarette smoking, with unclear long-term health effects.
September 30, 2025 by guardian.co.tt
Harm Reduction: The Next Step for Trinidad and Tobago’s Tobacco Fight
Trinidad and Tobago is shifting towards a progressive tobacco policy, exploring regulation of reduced-risk products like vaping and nicotine pouches. Current approaches focusing on bans haven't reduced smoking rates, with nearly one in five adults smoking. There's a lack of clarity on vaping regulations, leaving users uncertain. Embracing harm reduction strategies, similar to successful models in Sweden and the UK, can improve public health. Despite pushback from WHO, countries like Trinidad and Tobago can lead by prioritizing people's choices and health. It's time to act, collect data, understand risks, and regulate to encourage smokers to switch to safer alternatives, diverging from outdated strategies.
October 16, 2020 by guardian.co.tt
Smoke-free cigarettes coming
Cigarette smokers in T&T will one day be able to get their nicotine fix in a healthier, smoke-free way.
That is if Philip Morris’ dream of a smoke-free future comes true Andrés Espinal, the director of external affairs at PMI has stated.
PMI has announced that it is committing to a major business transformation by moving away from cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products and toward healthier alternatives for nicotine delivery. During his presentation of the national budget Finance Minister Colm Imbert said that the government is of the view that there is a need to curb the consumption of tobacco.