An “unchecked” rise in the availability of products that contain nicotine came under the spotlight as MPs heard that the Government is committed to closing loopholes that allow the goods to be sold without proper control.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, called on parents, teachers and retailers to help protect the island’s young people from harmful substances.

She told the House of Assembly yesterday: “Nicotine, while long associated with traditional tobacco use, is increasingly being repackaged and marketed in modern formats — including vapes, oral pouches, lozenges and gum — often with flavours and packaging that are unmistakably appealing to youth.

“These products, some of which were originally developed to support smoking cessation, are now being sold in convenience stores, gas stations and duty-free outlets in a manner that trivialises their medical intent and bypasses appropriate health oversight.”

The minister said her comments were intended to address “a public health issue that affects our youth, our families and the integrity of our regulatory system — the unchecked proliferation and marketing of nicotine-containing products”.

Ms Wilson cited a commitment made in the Throne Speech this year and that was reiterated in the House in March.

She said: “On that occasion, I highlighted the role that smoking and vaping play in contributing to respiratory diseases, cancers and cardiovascular issues.

“In response, the Government pledged to advance new restrictions on flavoured vaping products as a concrete step towards reducing harm.

“The urgency of that commitment is underscored by the evolving landscape of nicotine use.”

Ms Wilson highlighted evidence from the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which said that nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can harm adolescent brain development, impact memory and concentration, and increase the risk of future substance abuse.

She added: “Flavoured nicotine products, in particular, have been found to increase initiation rates among youth. Bermuda is not immune to this trend.

“We are now witnessing the sale of fruit-flavoured vapes and nicotine pouches, lozenges and gum being sold outside of pharmacies, often without age verification.

“They are often packaged like candy and displayed next to chocolate bars at the checkout.

“Let me be clear, these are medicinal products that should only be sold in registered pharmacies, as outlined in the Pharmacy and Poisons Act 1979.”

Ms Wilson said that the health ministry, with the Chief Medical Officer and the Bermuda Health Council, will enforce existing restrictions requiring that nicotine products be sold only by registered pharmacists in registered pharmacies.

She added that "urgent legislative reforms“ will begin in order to strengthen public protections.

An awareness campaign will boost public education and engagement with retailers so that there is clear guidance to help avoid unlawful sales and protect public health.

MPs heard that legislation will be amended to further define nicotine-containing products, “ensuring that newer forms like pouches and lozenges fall explicitly under the same regulatory scrutiny as liquid nicotine used in vapes”.

Ms Wilson said: “We will introduce clear statutory restrictions prohibiting the sale of all nicotine-containing products to individuals under the age of 18, aligned with protections already in place for tobacco under the Tobacco Control Act 2015.

“We will restrict or ban non-therapeutic flavours that are designed to appeal to youth, such as candy, dessert and fruity variants, except for those explicitly approved for smoking cessation in clinical settings.”

She added: “We are committed to closing the loopholes that have allowed these harmful products to be sold unchecked and without proper control.

“While we respect the role of legitimate smoking cessation aids, these must be distributed responsibly and only for their intended use, not disguised as lifestyle accessories for our young people.

“I urge all parents, educators, retailers and healthcare professionals to join us in this effort to safeguard Bermuda’s young people.”

In response to questions from Robin Tucker, an Opposition MP, the minister told the House: “What we are recognising — and there is evidence — is that these items are being sold in retail establishments.

“In fact, some are even right next to the chocolate bars.”

She said questions such as the age of buyers were not being asked by vendors.

Ms Wilson recalled a visit to an establishment where she saw items that contained nicotine on sale at the counter.

She said: “They were right next to candies and I had to look twice because I saw them.”

The minister said she asked the cashier what restrictions were in place on selling the products and he responded that he was unsure.

Ms Tucker, the Shadow Minister of Health, said the One Bermuda Alliance supported protections for young people.

She questioned whether retailers, whom she noted have been selling the products for some time, were informed of the regulations.

Ms Wilson said: “Admittedly, a few years ago we did go through the Chamber of Commerce to have these discussions.

“Particularly when we saw the proliferation of vapes, but we will continue the engagements.

“At the end of the day the law is the law and I am not sure it is necessary for steps to be taken to enforce what is on the legal books.”

• To view Kim Wilson’s statement in full, see Related Media

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Ministerial statement on nicotine products