Diego Martin West MP Hans Des Vignes has questioned how proposed restrictions under the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026 could affect young adults already working in supermarkets, casinos, event bars and other businesses connected to alcohol and gambling.<\/p>\n
During debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Des Vignes said the legislation appeared unclear about what would happen to workers between the ages of 18 and 24 who are already employed in those environments. The Bill was introduced and debated in the House on September 30.<\/p>\n
Des Vignes said many of those workers are university students and young people trying to earn an income while building their futures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are university students. They are hard working young people with a bright future ahead of them. You are now telling them they cannot work in these places,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThat is the question we have. We do not know from this legislation what is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Des Vignes also criticised what he described as a lack of consultation before the legislation was brought to Parliament.<\/p>\n
He listed the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers\u2019 Association, the Promoters Association of Trinidad and Tobago, business organisations, the beverage industry, the Rastafarian community and young people among groups he said should have been consulted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody. Not our youth. Just they talking to themselves on that side. That is all this is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Opposition MP also challenged the Government\u2019s approach to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use among young people, arguing that the problems being discussed extend beyond licensed clubs and entertainment venues.<\/p>\n
Des Vignes recalled young men gathering around community recreation grounds where they previously played football, saying some of those spaces are now unusable.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, these young men are gathering in the same place, unable to use the field. And you know what they\u2019re doing? They\u2019re smoking together in the corner,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He accused Government members of being disconnected from what is happening in communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe young men who are on the corner smoking and playing whappy, they\u2019re not going by no club. They\u2019re not going by the clubs. That is not where the problem lies,\u201d Des Vignes said.<\/p>\n
He argued that the wider social problem exists in communities and on streets across Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem lies around us on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Miscellaneous Provisions Bill seeks to amend several existing laws governing alcohol, cannabis, dangerous drugs, gambling and tobacco. Parliament lists it as House of Representatives Bill No. 17 of 2026.<\/p>\n