10/10/2026
*PUBLIC/MEDIA STATEMENT:*
*RAISING THE AGE IS NOT ENOUGH: WHO IS GOING TO CLEAN THE WATER?*
*THE FIRST WAVE MOVEMENT CALLS FOR A COMPLETE RE-THINK OF ALCOHOL & GAMBLING REGULATION*
The First Wave Movement is calling upon Parliament to look beyond simply changing the legal age for alcohol, gambling and other regulated recreational activities.
We agree that children and young people must be protected.
But we must ask a much bigger question:
*Will changing the age actually solve the problem if the laws already on our books are not being effectively enforced?*
And what about the environment in which these activities take place?
How many bars, rum shops, gambling establishments and similar businesses should a community reasonably be expected to accommodate?
Why should another establishment automatically receive a licence simply because the applicant satisfies the basic requirements?
What about the proximity to schools?
Places of worship?
Residential communities?
Youth facilities?
Hospitals?
Major roads?
And what about the cumulative impact of having numerous establishments of the same nature concentrated within a relatively small geographical area?
*THE GOLDFISH PRINCIPLE*
If a goldfish appears to be sick, you don't simply treat the goldfish.
*You examine the water.*
You clean the bowl.
You address the conditions affecting the fish.
The same principle should apply here.
If Government is serious about reducing underage drinking, harmful gambling and alcohol-related social problems, then Parliament must examine the *entire ecosystem*.
That means:
*Enforcement.*
*Licensing.*
*Location.*
*Density.*
*Operator responsibility.*
*Advertising.*
*Transportation.*
*Responsible gambling.*
*Community impact.*
And ultimately:
*MEASURABLE RESULTS.*
The First Wave Movement is therefore calling for Parliament to consider mandatory *Community and Social Impact Assessments* before specified new alcohol and gambling establishments are licensed.
We are also calling for stronger accountability for operators who knowingly facilitate prohibited conduct.
If a business profits from providing alcohol or gambling, that business must also accept meaningful responsibilities for operating within the law.
Where serious or repeated violations occur, there should be meaningful consequences:
*Penalty → Suspension → Revocation.*
We are also calling for Parliament to examine responsible-gambling mechanisms such as spending limits, self-exclusion and cooling-off periods, as well as appropriate safeguards concerning severely intoxicated patrons who may attempt to drive.
And we are asking a very simple question:
*HOW WILL GOVERNMENT KNOW WHETHER THIS LAW ACTUALLY WORKED?*
Parliament should not pass legislation and then forget about it.
Government should publish the enforcement data.
How many violations?
How many prosecutions?
How many convictions?
How many licence suspensions?
How many licence revocations?
How many underage sales detected?
What happened to alcohol-related road-safety indicators?
What happened to gambling-related harm?
*MEASURE THE RESULTS.*
The First Wave Movement is not calling for weaker regulation.
We are calling for *smarter, stronger and more comprehensive regulation*.
We believe the national conversation must move beyond:
*“How old should you be?”*
and ask:
*“Who is supplying it?”*
*“Where is it being supplied?”*
*“How many establishments are enough?”*
*“Who is enforcing the law?”*
*“What responsibility does the operator have?”*
*“And is the legislation actually reducing harm?”*
*PROTECT THE CHILD.*
*REGULATE THE INDUSTRY.*
*ENFORCE THE LAW.*
*PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.*
*MEASURE THE RESULTS.*
*The First Wave Movement*
*Umar Abdullah*
Founder & Leader
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 365-6253
WhatsApp: 787-0765
Email: [email protected]
*The full TFWM Policy & Legislative Submission is available for public consideration and discussion.*
