Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
For some young drinkers, the difference between having a drink legally and illegally could soon come down to one thing: whether they can prove their age.
The Barkeepers and Operators Association (BOATT) supports raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, however, it is warning that without mandatory identification in public, the proposed change could simply push younger drinkers out of licensed bars and into the streets and other places where alcohol is sold illegally.
BOATT president Sateesh Moonasar said the association understands the Government’s intention behind the proposed change and accepts that bars will lose some business.
“We are not against or opposed to the Government changing the age from 18 to 21,” he said.
Legislation raising the minimum age for alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21, and for cannabis and gambling from 18 to 25, is expected to be introduced in Parliament today.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the proposal in a social media post on Monday, saying it is intended to protect young people from substance abuse, addiction and risky behaviour. The Bill will amend several laws governing alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and gambling.
But Moonasar’s main concern is enforcement. He argued that if people are not required to carry identification in public, police would have difficulty determining whether someone drinking in public is over 21.
He warned that younger drinkers could instead gather outside supermarkets, shops and parlours that sell alcohol illegally, while licensed bars would be left carrying the burden of checking customers’ identification.
“Without the mandatory use of ID in public, this law moving the age of 18 to 21 is just moving that pool of customers out into the general public,” he said.
Moonasar said the requirement was necessary for the proposed change to work.
“But that is the only way that this will be feasible because if you’re standing on the side of the road, how does an officer differentiate what your age is if you’re between 18 and 21. If you’re above 21 years of age and if it’s not mandatory for you to carry an ID, you’re putting a job under the TTPS that they wouldn’t be able to handle.”
On gambling, Moonasar said machines in bars are classified as amusement machines rather than gambling machines. He believes the proposed gambling age of 25 would apply to casinos and members’ clubs, while bars would fall under the age of 21. He acknowledged, however, that he had not yet seen the Bill’s text.
Moonasar also said BOATT was not consulted before the proposal was announced.
“From my association’s standpoint, no, we were not consulted concerning this. There was never any topic or any discussion with us concerning this.”
The proposed age increase also comes as bars face higher operating costs. The 2025/26 budget increased customs duties on rum, spirits, beer and tobacco, while several bars and restaurants closed their doors in January. Moonasar said the tax increases had already resulted in some closures, although not on a large scale.
“But this part with the age, I don’t think that it would affect businesses in any drastic way that would force any closures or loss of employment.”
