Throne Speech: Gov’t looking to restrict vaping, smoking under age 18
The Government of the Virgin Islands is looking to restrict the public use of e-cigarettes and smoking in the Virgin Islands as part of its legislative agenda for the start of the Fifth Session of the current Fourth House of Assembly (HoA).
This was revealed by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, in his deliverance of the 2023 Speech from the Throne at the Fifth Session of the current Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
According to the Governor, “Government will seek to amend the Tobacco Products Control Act, 2006 (No 18 of 2006) to provide for restrictions on the use of electronic smoking devices and the creation of the new offenses of prohibiting smoking in a public place,” he said.
The amendment will also seek to restrict smoking by a person under 18 years of age, and smoking in a motor vehicle while a person under 18 years of age is present.
This was revealed by Governor John J.
Rankin, CMG, in his deliverance of the 2023 Speech from the Throne on
Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
The news comes as the Government has indicated that it has found a way forward regarding the use of medicinal marijuana in the Virgin Islands; however, it remains unclear if the amendment to the act will have implications on the proposed medical marijuana industry.
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a one-on-one press conference on January 23, 2023, said the UK is also committed to helping VI with its medicinal marijuana industry.
“I was also very pleased that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the UK Home Office had very good discussions with my delegation on medicinal cannabis, particularly with respect to licensing of medical practitioners in the Virgin Islands to administer medicinal cannabis to patients,” he said.
According to the Governor, “Government will seek to amend the Tobacco Products Control Act, 2006 (No 18 of 2006) to provide for restrictions on the use of electronic smoking devices and the creation of the new offenses of prohibiting smoking in a public place,” he said.
The amendment will also seek to restrict smoking by a person under 18 years of age, and smoking in a motor vehicle while a person under 18 years of age is present.
This was revealed by Governor John J.
Rankin, CMG, in his deliverance of the 2023 Speech from the Throne on
Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Way forward with marijuana
The news comes as the Government has indicated that it has found a way forward regarding the use of medicinal marijuana in the Virgin Islands; however, it remains unclear if the amendment to the act will have implications on the proposed medical marijuana industry.
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a one-on-one press conference on January 23, 2023, said the UK is also committed to helping VI with its medicinal marijuana industry.
“I was also very pleased that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the UK Home Office had very good discussions with my delegation on medicinal cannabis, particularly with respect to licensing of medical practitioners in the Virgin Islands to administer medicinal cannabis to patients,” he said.
