Lower House Passes Bill Raising Legal Age For Alcohol, Tobacco And Cannabis

After more than 12 hours of debate on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, imposing stricter controls on alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and gambling for people under 25.

The Bill seeks to revise legislative frameworks to establish a new minimum age for the sale, purchase and possession of intoxicating liquor and tobacco to 21 years of age and to increase the age limit relevant to matters concerning the sale, purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis to 25 years of age.

AG Jeremie argued the Bill is aimed at changing the country’s direction after years of rising crime and violence.