Fraser
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has called for stronger tobacco control in the territory, urging the government to impose higher taxes on cigarettes to discourage smoking and generate revenue.
Fraser made the remarks during the debate on the Tobacco Products Control (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the House of Assembly. The legislation, which seeks to strengthen public health protections against smoking, especially for young people and vulnerable groups, is part of wider efforts to reduce tobacco use in the territory.
“I commend the minister for the things that he is doing. I’m supporting him. But the one thing he should do is price the cigarettes out of the people’s reach,” Fraser stated.
Fraser, who admitted to smoking in his youth, said the territory should follow the example of other countries that have used financial penalties to drive down tobacco use.
“The Americans got wise and they woke up and they protested and rebelled against tobacco products… and Winston-Salem and Philip Morris ended up paying off billions of dollars. You hit them where it hurts, in their pockets,” he explained.
Fraser argued that taxing cigarettes heavily could help both reduce consumption and raise funds for the government. “He can make some good money from tobacco products. Put a tax on it. He can triple, triple, double it, double, triple it. Whatever you guys do about taxes—out of the reach. Now, here, do it now,” he urged.
While praising the bill, Fraser expressed frustration with what he described as a hesitant approach to enforcement and regu lation.
“It’s still immensely popular, and it’s because of the pussyfooting that goes on like we’re doing here right now,” he stated.
Fraser added that the territory has “matured to the point where we can relegate tobacco products to the payoff box,” suggesting that firms wanting to sell tobacco should bear the full cost of its impact.
“I smoked at one time. I smoked a pack a weekend… I was young, dumb, stupid, and everything. I did all that stuff,” he reflected.
In 2022, the BVI introduced a ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants, bars, and workplaces, as part of a broader tobacco control campaign. The current amendment seeks to close loopholes in the original legislation and strengthen penalties for violations.
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