THE Senate on October 29 voted to approve hikes in duties on alcohol and tobacco products, but with the opposition voting against and a majority of independent senators abstaining. The hikes had initially been proposed in the budget presentation by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, and were presented to senators by Planning Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh.

Senators discussed the various hikes together in one debate, but at the end held five separate votes for each type of item plus Caricom tariff considerations.

Senate vice president Kenya Charles in the chair acknowledged senators passing the first motion by popular acclaim, without anyone calling for any division to be taken. This was a motion to confirm the Excise Duty (Tobacco Products) (Amendment) Order, 2025.