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National Youth Council of Dominica elects new Executive Committee; outgoing president describes tenure as rewarding and challenging

The National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) has formally ushered in a new term of youth leadership, wrapping up its electoral process to seat a new 2026–2028 Executive Committee that will steer the organization’s work for the next two years.

Heading the new leadership slate is President Yannick Regis, while Jemima Mills has taken up the role of General Assembly Chairman. The full executive team includes Dylan Registe as First Vice President, Keanu Winston as Second Vice President, and Shervin Dominique stepping into the position of Communications Lead. Rounding out the elected body are Nicole Eustache, who serves as Assistant Secretary Treasurer, and two additional members at large: Dezarie Burnette and Jeanique Hypolite.

The handover of power comes as outgoing NYCD President Phael Lander delivered a reflective farewell address, looking back on his tenure as one of the most transformative periods of his life, marked by both profound rewards and significant leadership hurdles. Lander opened up about the unseen challenges of guiding the youth council, noting that every public initiative and official appearance was undergirded by unspoken hardships, from navigating stretched budgets to weathering unexpected crises that hit the organization in recent years.

Among the most severe setbacks Lander highlighted were a series of damaging incidents at NYCD headquarters: a fire on May 5 that caused extensive water damage from firefighting efforts, followed shortly by a burglary that left the organization reeling. Even with limited resources and compounded adversity, Lander emphasized that the entire council community showed remarkable resilience to keep its programs running for young Dominicans.

In his address, Lander expressed sincere gratitude to the departing executive, partner organizations, affiliated youth groups, volunteer workers, and young people across Dominica for their steadfast support through turbulent times. While he acknowledged that he left office with unmet goals that he had hoped to deliver, he stressed that every decision and effort during his tenure was rooted in a single core mission: serving the needs of the Dominican youth population.

Offering key guidance to the incoming executive team, Lander urged the new leaders to prioritize collaborative work, anchor all decisions in the NYCD constitution, avoid letting personal conflicts or individual ambition distract from the organization’s core mission, and always retain sight of their foundational purpose for entering public service. He reminded the new team that the National Youth Council as an institution far outlasts any individual leader, noting that elected officials are only temporary caretakers of the organization’s mission.

Lander closed by thanking Dominican youth for the trust they extended to him during his tenure, and for holding him accountable throughout his time in office. Even as he steps down from the presidency, Lander reaffirmed that his commitment to advancing youth development in Dominica remains unshaken. “The title may be gone, but the commitment to youth development remains. The work continues,” he said.

31 5 月, 2026
Fort Road Man Held After Police Recover Large Cache of Suspected Stolen Property

In a major law enforcement operation carried out early on the morning of Sunday, May 31, 2026, officers from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda have recovered an extensive cache of suspected stolen property and taken a local Fort Road resident into custody for questioning. The operation, led by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Task Force, got underway at approximately 6:30 a.m., when law enforcement personnel executed a judicially authorized search warrant at the suspect’s residential property in the Fort Road district of St. John’s.

Upon searching the premises, investigators uncovered a massive assortment of unaccounted-for goods spanning multiple categories, ranging from high-value consumer electronics to industrial and construction supplies. The full list of recovered items includes a wide array of household appliances: televisions, stoves, microwave ovens, blenders, pressure cookers, rice cookers, ceiling fans, and air fryers, as well as large-scale equipment such as generators, air-conditioning units, and water pumps. Construction and power tools were also among the haul, including chain saws, drills, sanders, weed trimmers, air compressors, complete tool kits, and construction materials such as fencing wire, bulk electrical supplies, and plumbing and bathroom fixtures. Additional items found included several cellular phones, multimedia projectors, and assorted hardware supplies.

Following the discovery of the unclaimed property, the resident occupying the searched property was placed under arrest on two charges: suspicion of larceny and suspicion of receiving stolen property. He was subsequently transported to St. John’s Police Station, where he remains in custody as the investigation progresses, alongside all of the recovered goods that will serve as evidence in the case.

In the aftermath of the operation, the Royal Police Force has issued a public appeal to residents of Antigua and Barbuda who have recently filed reports of stolen property from their homes, commercial businesses, active construction sites, or private storage facilities. Law enforcement officials are encouraging any individual who believes any of the recovered items may be their property to visit the CID headquarters in person with formal proof of ownership to aid investigators in the ongoing identification and ownership verification process.

At this stage of the probe, police are working to trace the full origins of all seized goods, and are actively exploring potential connections between this cache and a series of unsolved larceny and burglary reports that have been filed across the island in recent months. Anyone holding additional information that could help move the investigation forward is requested to contact the Criminal Investigations Department directly at the phone lines 462-3913 or 462-3914, or to submit an anonymous tip through the independent Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).

31 5 月, 2026
Sir Paul Altman, Celia Toppin among six honoured with heritage award

Barbados’ annual celebration of national history and culture kicked off this year with a distinguished award ceremony honoring five trailblazers who have dedicated their careers to protecting and promoting the island’s unique legacy. To mark the opening of 2026 Heritage Month, the Office for Pan-African Affairs and Heritage joined forces with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the Barbados National Trust to present the coveted Fielding Babb Heritage Recognition Awards, an honor that recognizes extraordinary contributions to documenting and preserving Barbados’ cultural and built heritage.

This year’s Heritage Month is centered on the unifying theme “Safeguarding and Celebrating Our Heritage”, a framing that highlights both the ongoing work of protection and the joy of sharing cultural legacy with new generations. Among the 2026 award recipients is Sir Paul Altman, a veteran preservationist with over 40 years of experience in heritage conservation and urban renewal. As a former president of the Barbados National Trust, Altman is widely celebrated for leading the restoration of the 17th-century Synagogue Historic District, a landmark project that balanced modern real estate development with sensitive historical preservation, setting a benchmark for similar projects across the region.

Cultural policy pioneer Celia Toppin also received the award in recognition of her foundational work shaping Barbados’ cultural ecosystem. Toppin drafted the island’s first national cultural policy, and later went on to serve as a Cultural Heritage Project Manager with the Organisation of American States, where she developed the first national registers of historic sites across multiple Caribbean nations. Veteran visual historian and photographer Ronnie Carrington rounded out the three most high-profile honorees, recognized for his decades of work documenting everyday Bajan life. Famous for his beloved Bajan Folkways documentary series and popular Footprints of our Heritage guided tours, Carrington is currently putting the final touches on a new photobook titled *Shelters in the Shadows*, which traces the social and architectural history of the iconic Barbadian chattel house. The remaining awards went to former diplomat Michael King and cultural heritage conservationist Steve Devonish, who was named 2026 Heritage Steward of the Year.

In acceptance remarks, Toppin expressed gratitude for the recognition while issuing a call to action for greater investment in cultural heritage and youth engagement. “I would really like to see more done in the area of culture and cultural heritage,” she said, stressing that young people must be at the center of future heritage work. “I would like to see a greater integration of culture and heritage into our economy, especially for the young people.”

Sir Paul echoed her gratitude, sharing that he never expected formal recognition for work he pursued out of passion. “You are always honoured when you get an award for some of the things you do without expecting a reward,” he said. “I am proud to have received this, and I will cherish it and continue to do what I do.”

Throughout the month of June, the celebration will extend far beyond the opening award ceremony with a packed public calendar of events designed to deepen national pride and expand public access to Barbados’ heritage. The Barbados National Trust will offer free entry to multiple historic sites across the month, including Arlington House Museum on June 6 and Gun Hill Signal Station on June 20. Cultural tourism will take center stage on June 20, when the BTMI will host Dinner with Florence Daysh, an immersive evening of live music and theatrical storytelling that explores the roots of modern Barbadian identity.

Other highlighted events include a June 18 lecture on the evolution of Barbados’ rum and molasses industry in the post-Independence era at St Mary’s Church, the fourth annual Bridgetown Antiques Market and Literary Bus Tours on Father’s Day (June 21), and a youth-led digital webinar on the intersection of heritage preservation and modern technology on June 25. The full schedule also includes Standpipe Stories: Bay Street Edition and the St Mary’s Heritage Tea Party on June 27, Modern Day Griots: Voices of Today at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre on June 28, and a showcase of the new Atlantic Stories digital archive at the Barbados Archives Department, scheduled to close out the month on June 30.

Organizers of the 2026 Heritage Month observance emphasize that the wide-ranging program serves a dual purpose: while it honors the island’s layered, rich history, it also positions heritage as a core driver of Barbados’ future, encouraging all members of the public to engage with and carry forward national legacy for coming generations.

31 5 月, 2026
A Star is Born: Aadaiyah Takes the Golden Boot

To be completed once full original news content is provided.

31 5 月, 2026
Atlantic hurricane season officially begins with below-normal forecast, but vigilance is urged

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially got underway on June 1, marking the start of the six-month storm period that will extend through the end of November, according to top meteorological officials in Dominica.

Acting Director of Meteorology Marshall Alexander has highlighted that the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is projecting a below-normal season for 2026. The agency’s probabilistic outlook puts the chance of below-average storm activity at 55%, with an expected range of 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 full hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes forming across the entire Atlantic Basin this year. This forecast is rooted in ongoing climate trends: a strengthening El Niño event is forecast to boost wind shear across the Atlantic, a atmospheric condition that typically suppresses tropical cyclone development. This suppressing effect is partially offset by warmer-than-average Atlantic sea surface temperatures, which can fuel storm growth when systems do form.

NOAA constructs its annual hurricane outlook using a robust combination of cutting-edge climate modeling, high-resolution satellite observations, and detailed analysis of large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns. Integrating modern tools including artificial intelligence-powered prediction models and next-generation satellite systems, the agency’s cross-institutional team — drawing expertise from the Climate Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center, and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory — collaborates to produce the final seasonal outlook. Unlike fixed, precise predictions, NOAA frames its outlook as probabilistic ranges to reflect the inherent uncertainty of seasonal weather forecasting.

Even with the expectation of a quieter-than-average season, Alexander has stressed that communities, particularly those in vulnerable island nations like Dominica, must not let their guard down. “Our history has shown us that it only takes one storm to make for a very dangerous and devastating season,” Alexander explained, pointing to the catastrophic legacy of 2015’s Tropical Storm Erika and 2017’s Hurricane Maria, two events that left Dominica reeling from widespread flooding, catastrophic landslides, crippling infrastructure destruction, and irreversible losses of life and local livelihoods.

As a mountainous island nation located directly within the Atlantic hurricane belt, Dominica remains uniquely exposed to a range of hurricane-linked hazards, including flash flooding, overflowing river systems, landslides, rockfalls, destructive high winds, choppy coastal seas, and permanent coastal erosion. Even a single moderate storm can trigger cascading disasters across the island’s steep terrain.

To help residents stay ahead of developing threats, Alexander urged the public to rely exclusively on official information sources throughout the season, including updates from the Dominica Meteorological Service. Updates are distributed via local radio, the service’s official website at www.weather.gov.dm, and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

“Preparedness, early action, communication and coordination remain our strongest defenses during the hurricane season,” Alexander said. He reaffirmed that the below-normal seasonal forecast should not change how Dominicans prepare for storm threats, repeating a critical message that underscores the stakes for at-risk coastal communities: “It only takes one.” NOAA echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that regardless of projected seasonal activity, pre-season preparedness remains the most effective strategy to reduce hurricane-related harm.

31 5 月, 2026
Sobers, Walcott homes set for heritage recognition

Barbados is set to cement the legacies of two of its most iconic sporting figures through an ambitious new heritage initiative that will preserve the childhood family homes of cricket greats Sir Gary Sobers and the late Sir Frank Walcott. The plan was officially announced by Trevor Prescod, Minister of Pan-African Affairs and Heritage, during the opening ceremony of Heritage Month, held Saturday evening at the island nation’s Cricket Legends Museum.

Unlike conventional commemorative efforts that rely solely on plaques or public statuary, Prescod emphasized that this project marks a deliberate shift toward active, tangible preservation of the nation’s most precious cultural and historical assets. The initiative will kick off at Sobers’ childhood residence in Bay Land, St. Michael, a location that holds deep symbolic meaning for the country as the early home of one of Barbados’ most celebrated living National Heroes.

In remarks at the event, Prescod argued that the state carries a unique responsibility to honor national icons while they are still with us, rather than waiting to recognize their contributions posthumously. “We cannot have a national hero of Gary Sobers’ stature still alive today, and for the state to fail to step forward to honor the home where he grew up – a space that stands as a living symbol of his extraordinary journey and greatness,” Prescod stated. “That is a mistake we are determined to correct, and I can promise we will see this project through to completion.”

Beyond honoring the living legend, the preservation project will also extend to the former home of Sir Frank Walcott, located on the eastern edge of the Empire Cricket Club ground. Walcott, who wore dual hats as a pioneering trade union leader and one of the most respected cricketers in Barbadian history, joins Sobers as a focal point of the ministry’s effort to protect spaces that tell the story of the nation’s sporting and social progress.

To deliver the project, Prescod confirmed that the Ministry of Pan-African Affairs and Heritage will collaborate closely with the Barbados National Trust, the island’s leading independent heritage conservation organization. The partnership aims to ensure that the preservation work adheres to the highest professional conservation standards, going far beyond the basic commemorative marker that has become the standard for honoring public figures.

The announcement has been welcomed by cultural and sporting groups across Barbados, who frame the initiative as a critical step in preserving the island’s connection to its most influential athletes and community leaders. For cricket fans and Barbadians more broadly, the preserved homes are expected to become lasting heritage sites that will educate future generations about the impact of these two legendary figures.

31 5 月, 2026
Guyana Bar Association’s election heads to court- Attorney Darren Wade

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, defeated candidate and attorney-at-law Darren Wade announced plans to mount a legal challenge to last Friday’s Guyana Bar Association (GBA) Council election, claiming ineligible voters were permitted to cast ballots in direct violation of the professional body’s bylaws.

Wade, whose slate of candidates lost to the opposing ticket led by incoming GBA President Arudranauth Gossai, confirmed his firm intention to file a lawsuit over the disputed poll. He told Demerara Waves Online News that the core of the legal challenge rests on the GBA’s decision to allow government-employed attorneys, who hold non-private practice positions, to vote. Under GBA regulations, only full private practice attorneys qualify for regular voting membership, while government-employed and other non-private practitioners are limited to associate membership that carries no voting rights.

The contested election was held via a virtual Zoom Annual General Meeting (AGM), which the GBA says drew the highest number of attending members in the organization’s history. But Wade alleged that after he raised formal objections to the presence of government-employed attorneys in the voting process, GBA organizers allowed these ineligible participants to remain. He added that official records do not clearly identify who cast ballots, despite preliminary data indicating that 100 percent of the ineligible government-employed lawyers he identified participated in the vote.

Citing explicit GBA bylaws, Wade explained that Section 3 of the organization’s governing rules restricts voting membership exclusively to attorneys engaged in full private practice, defined as attorneys not employed by the state. All other attorneys, including those on government payrolls, are restricted to associate membership, which explicitly excludes voting rights, a restriction that is also clearly posted on the GBA’s official website. Wade emphasized that the election’s core irregularity stems from organizers’ failure to adhere to these longstanding rules.

The GBA has formally confirmed that Gossai’s ticket defeated Wade’s slate to take control of the 2026-2027 GBA Council. The new leadership includes former GBA President Kamal Ramkarran as First Vice-President, Teni Housty as Second Vice-President, Yashmini Singh as re-elected Secretary, Samuel Glasgow as Treasurer, and Mohanie Anganoo as Assistant Secretary. Seven additional members, including senior counsels Robin Stoby and Jamela Ali, were elected to fill at-large Council seats. Wade has criticized that the GBA only released vote results as percentages, refusing to publish raw vote totals to verify the outcome.

Ramkarran, who served as outgoing GBA President during the election, has rejected Wade’s allegations outright. In a May 25 response to Wade’s pre-election concerns, Ramkarran denied any rules were broken and challenged Wade to produce concrete evidence to back his claims. “Despite your allegations, I must point out that the Bar Association’s rules have been complied with in every regard, as always. If you are aware of any rule in particular which has been inadvertently missed, I would be grateful if you could bring it to our attention,” Ramkarran said. He also dismissed as “untrue and defamatory” Wade’s claim that the outgoing Council refused to commit to a transparent, free and fair election without intervention from senior independent members of the legal profession.

Wade’s concerns over electoral fairness predated the Friday vote. In the lead-up to the election, he raised multiple red flags about procedural irregularities, including his claim that a number of eligible voting members were not invited to the virtual AGM. He also formally requested key procedural details ahead of the poll, including the identity of the appointed Returning Officer, formal rules governing nominations, voting, counting and result declarations, Zoom platform participant access and capacity controls, constitutional provisions governing the election, contingency plans for technical failures, and a complete official list of eligible voters. Wade also warned of an uneven playing field, noting that the incumbent GBA leadership had full access to all member contact and eligibility data that was not shared equally with all competing candidate slates.

This electoral controversy comes amid a similar recent dispute in Guyana’s independent professional bodies: just prior to the GBA vote, elections for the Guyana Press Association (GPA) were also marred by allegations of partisan political preference from the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).

31 5 月, 2026
Bridgetown Port pulls back the curtain for open day

For most Barbadians, the Barbados Port has long been a closed, mysterious space—ringed by security barriers, off-limits to everyday people who only ever see it from a distance, even as it powers the island nation’s entire economy. That veil of secrecy was lifted this past Saturday, when port management hosted the highly anticipated Port Open Day, offering hundreds of local attendees a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step inside the facility and explore the daily operations that keep the island connected to the rest of the world.

Unlike routine public visits that only allow access to peripheral public areas, this open event granted visitors unprecedented entry to restricted work zones, massive specialized industrial equipment, and active working vessels that rarely welcome members of the general public. Divisional Manager of Business Development and Strategy Jane Broome, who helped organize the initiative, explained that the core goal of the event was to build a stronger connection between the critical infrastructure facility and the local community it serves.

“For most people who never have reason to pass through the main security gates, the port’s day-to-day work is always a bit of a puzzle,” Broome noted. “Port Open Day is our chance to invite the community in, and let them see the port in action for themselves.”

The full-day event featured a packed schedule of live operational demonstrations and interactive guided tours led by multiple agencies that work out of the port complex. One of the most popular attractions was the exclusive tours of active naval patrol craft, hosted by the Barbados Coast Guard, which gave attendees a first-hand look at the island’s maritime defense and border protection operations. Different port operational departments set up outdoor exhibitions to showcase the massive, custom-built cargo-handling machinery and container lifters that move millions of tons of goods through the port every year, letting visitors get up close to equipment they had only ever seen from afar. To cap off the immersive experience, captains of the port’s tugboat fleet led guided tours of these workhorse vessels, explaining their critical role in guiding large cargo and cruise ships through the island’s harbor.

Broome emphasized that the smooth execution of the large community event would not have been possible without widespread cross-sector collaboration across all teams and agencies based at the port. She highlighted the seamless cooperation between port security teams, marine operations departments, emergency response units, and partner government agencies in pulling off the day. “This really is a collective partnership with all the agencies that work within the port,” Broome said. “We have the Barbados Coast Guard opening up their vessels for tours, the Bridgetown Port Fire Station welcoming visitors to explore their facility, and we’re highlighting all the different teams that keep this port running every single day.”

For the hundreds of local residents and families who turned out for the event, the day delivered far more than just a casual outing: it offered a completely new perspective on the port that acts as the beating heart of Barbados’ economy. What is normally a strictly controlled high-security zone was transformed into an interactive educational space, where curious children, maritime enthusiasts, and everyday locals could learn first-hand about the work that keeps the island’s supply chains moving and its economy growing.

31 5 月, 2026
DNA-voorzitter kondigt evaluatie van nieuw Burgerlijk Wetboek aan

Suriname’s parliament, the Nationale Assemblée (DNA), is set to conduct a comprehensive, systematic review of how the country’s new Civil Code (BW) functions in real-world practice, DNA Chairman Michael Adhin announced Friday at a legal industry gathering in Paramaribo.

Addressing attendees of the “Legal Lunch Suriname: From Code to Workplace — Book 2 BW & Governance in Practice” event hosted by the Leadership Academy at the Radisson Hotel, Adhin emphasized that a legislative body’s work does not end when a bill is passed into law. The event brought together legal practitioners, compliance officers, organizational leaders, regulators, and business representatives to discuss the ongoing rollout of the new Civil Code and the role of strong governance across institutions.

“A law is not an end product, it is simply one phase in a continuous cycle,” Adhin told the gathered audience. He noted that while the public typically only sees the legislative process from bill drafting through official publication in the state gazette, the true value and impact of any law only emerges during day-to-day implementation. This post-enactment assessment, he argued, is a core responsibility of parliament that too often goes unaddressed.

Adhin pointed out that gaps frequently emerge between the text of a law written in the legislative chamber and its application for ordinary people, businesses, and public institutions. A law can only prove it is workable, delivers meaningful social value, and aligns with on-the-ground realities once it is put into use, making systematic post-implementation evaluation a foundational element of accountable governance and high-quality lawmaking.

The new Surinamese Civil Code received parliamentary approval in 2024 and officially entered into force on May 1, 2025. Given the sweeping scope of this landmark legal reform, Adhin explained that a structured review is critical to understanding its real-world impact, drawing a parallel to similar legal overhauls in the Netherlands, where reforms are rolled out and assessed in gradual phases to address unforeseen challenges.

To carry out the evaluation, Adhin announced three concrete initiatives led by the Nationale Assemblée. First, the body will establish a permanent consultation platform structured similarly to parliament’s existing Academic Week, to facilitate ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and lawmakers. Second, a dedicated digital reporting portal will be launched, allowing ordinary citizens, legal professionals, and organizations to flag specific provisions that cause confusion or create practical bottlenecks in daily use. Third, three DNA-appointed independent experts will integrate insights and recommendations shared during the Legal Lunch into the formal evaluation framework.

Adhin stressed that the discussions at the one-day event would not be merely academic: the insights collected through these channels will be used to refine the Civil Code and strengthen future legislative drafting in Suriname. “What is exchanged here today will absolutely not go to waste,” he said. “These on-the-ground experiences and perspectives will help us build a clear, accurate picture of how the new Civil Code is working, and drive the ongoing development of more effective, responsive legislation for all Surinamese.”

31 5 月, 2026
Saint Lucia pushes against youth tobacco use for World No Tobacco Day

As the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia marks World No Tobacco Day on May 31, public health authorities have launched an aggressive, multi-pronged national response to rising tobacco and nicotine use among the country’s youth, with growing alarm focused on the booming popularity of vaping products.

In an official press release, the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat called out the tobacco industry for its evolving predatory tactics, noting that manufacturers deliberately target younger consumers with bright, eye-catching packaging, a wide range of candy and fruit-inspired flavors, and deceptive marketing that frames nicotine products as a safe, trendy hobby.

The renewed public health push is led by Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, which centered its new campaign on data collected from the 2025 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, a study that analyzed tobacco-related behaviors among 8th to 10th-grade students across the island’s secondary schools. While the survey recorded a welcome drop in traditional cigarette use among respondents, it uncovered a deeply concerning upward trend in the adoption of electronic nicotine delivery systems, most commonly vapes and similar disposable devices. The research also highlighted that youth remain widely exposed to harmful secondhand smoke in homes and local communities, amplifying long-term health risks for non-smokers across the country.

“Our mission is to expose the truth about tobacco and nicotine products and empower our citizens, especially our youth, to make informed and healthy decisions,” the secretariat said in its statement.

To meet this goal, authorities have rolled out a comprehensive suite of outreach initiatives designed to reach both young audiences and the general public. Core components include youth-focused social media campaigns, paired with traditional public service announcements airing on local television and radio stations. Educational outreach will also be extended to secondary schools and workplaces across the island, while large-scale billboard campaigns will prominently display the acute and long-term dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Community participation is a central pillar of the new strategy, with planned engagement activities bringing together parents, teachers, school principals, parent-teacher associations, local environmental groups, and community councils. A key new addition to school-based programming is peer-to-peer advocacy, which trains students to lead awareness efforts among their own classmates and social circles.

Public health officials emphasize that centering youth leadership is critical to the campaign’s long-term success. To that end, students are being encouraged to join creative engagement activities, including designing awareness posters, composing original anti-tobacco jingles, leading peer discussion groups, and organizing local awareness initiatives in their schools and neighborhoods.

Alongside new education programming, the secretariat is reinforcing awareness of existing public health amendment regulations that ban smoking in most indoor public spaces and require designated smoking zones at public events and commercial establishments. Authorities report that violations of these rules remain common across the island, and are calling on business owners, event organizers, and all citizens to comply with existing regulations to protect the health of non-smokers.

Health leaders stress that there is no safe threshold for secondhand tobacco smoke exposure, noting that regular exposure increases an individual’s risk of developing acute respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and chronic progressive conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Beyond the well-documented human health risks, the new campaign also shines a light on the underdiscussed environmental harm caused by tobacco products. Discarded cigarette butts and single-use disposable vapes are a growing source of plastic and toxic pollution across Saint Lucia, posing severe threats to the island’s vulnerable marine ecosystems and native wildlife.

Using World No Tobacco Day as a launching pad for the multi-month campaign, the Ministry of Health is calling on every Saint Lucian to contribute to prevention efforts by sharing accurate information, participating in local awareness events, and helping build fully smoke-free environments across the nation. The Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat is also actively seeking partnerships with schools, workplaces, and community groups that are interested in hosting educational sessions or joining the campaign’s outreach work.

31 5 月, 2026