Philip Morris T&T Ltd. has warned that Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed 20% customs duty on vaping devices and e-liquids could increase illicit trade. The measure was announced by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo in his Oct. 12 budget presentation and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The government also plans to prohibit vaping in public places and the sale of vaping products to people under 21.
Marisa Bernard, corporate affairs manager for Caricom at Philip Morris T&T, said the company supports stronger measures to prevent underage access, including raising the minimum legal age for tobacco and vaping-related purchases to 21. She said the company is still assessing the proposed duty’s commercial impact and called for tax policy to balance revenue objectives, public health goals, and efforts to curb illegal trade.
