Safer Nicotine Alternatives Can Save Caribbean Lives – New Report

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News Americas, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, September 18, 2025: International health experts are today urging Caribbean policymakers to embrace safer nicotine alternatives as a major new report reveals their life-saving potential worldwide.

The landmark study, The Safer Nicotine Revolution: Global Lessons, Healthier Futures, shows that smoke-free alternatives such as vapes and nicotine pouches are cutting smoking rates dramatically and producing measurable improvements in public health: fewer deaths, fewer cases of chronic disease and fewer years lost to disability.

Dr. Delon Human, a co-author of the report and leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “This ground-breaking research represents a substantial public health opportunity for the Caribbean, where more than one in five adults still smokes.

“By integrating safer nicotine alternatives like vapes and oral pouches into tobacco control strategies, Caribbean policymakers could prevent thousands of premature deaths, with their citizens as the eventual beneficiaries.”

The report, which comes ahead of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) conference (COP11) in Geneva in November, reveals:

Sweden has cut smoking to just 5.3%, the lowest in Europe, by making snus and nicotine pouches widely accessible. Swedish men now have 61% lower lung cancer rates than the EU average, and overall cancer deaths are a third lower. Without snus, smoking-related male mortality would have been 70% higher.

Japan has halved its cigarette sales since the introduction of heated tobacco products a decade ago. Smoking prevalence dropped from 21% to 16%, and health modelling suggests switching just half of smokers to heated tobacco could prevent 12 million cases of smoking-related disease.

The UK has integrated vaping into NHS quit-smoking services, with smoking rates falling from 20.2% in 2011 to 11.9% today. Real-world data already show declines in cardiovascular deaths, cancer mortality, COPD cases and smoking-related hospital admissions.

New Zealand halved its smoking rate in just six years after legalising and promoting vaping and heated tobacco, while vaping prevalence rose more than fourfold. Almost 80% of daily vapers are ex-smokers. COPD hospitalizations have fallen nearly 30% and smoking-related cardiovascular deaths are down 20%.

“These figures make one thing clear: safer nicotine alternatives are saving lives today,” said Dr. Human.

“COP11 is a moment of truth. If Parties adopt harm reduction within the framework of the FCTC, millions of lives could be saved worldwide. This report should be essential reading for every policymaker in Geneva.”

Amazon Opens First Caribbean Distribution Hub – What This Means For Regional Trade and Investment

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Sept. 18, 2025: Global e-commerce giant Amazon this month officially launched its first-ever Caribbean distribution hub in the Dominican Republic, marking a strategic turning point for regional logistics, investment, and digital commerce.

The inaugural cargo flight by Amazon Air touched down at Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo on September 2, 2025. Operated by 21 Air using Boeing 767-300 freighters, the new hub will see seven weekly cargo flights arriving from Miami, aiming to streamline trade, cut delivery times, and cement the Dominican Republic’s place as a regional e-commerce logistics powerhouse.

Beyond Borders: A Regional Game-Changer

While the hub is physically located in the DR, its purpose extends far beyond national borders. By positioning the country as a Caribbean-wide logistics center, Amazon is laying the groundwork for broader regional integration into global supply chains.

The Caribbean has long been hampered by fragmented logistics, high freight costs, and long delivery timelines. Amazon’s entry — even if currently cargo-focused — presents an opportunity to shift the narrative from isolation to integration.

Implications for Caribbean Governments and SMEs

For Caribbean governments, Amazon’s move is a wake-up call. While countries like the DR are leveraging trade zones and modernized customs to attract infrastructure investment, many neighbors lag behind. The hub could inspire new public-private partnerships, modernization of import/export regulations, and targeted investments in warehousing, cold storage, and inter-island shipping.

For Caribbean entrepreneurs and small businesses, the hub’s launch hints at future potential — including faster access to inventory, reduced cross-border shipping costs, and possibly smoother participation in Amazon’s seller ecosystem.

Not Prime Yet – But the Infrastructure Is Coming

It’s important to note that the current operation is focused strictly on logistics and cargo. Full-scale Amazon Prime delivery — including next-day or two-day shipping — is not yet live across the region. However, this hub significantly reduces dependency on U.S. transshipment ports, a bottleneck that has long plagued regional delivery.

For consumers in the region, the presence of Amazon Air could gradually improve shipping speeds and expand access to eligible Prime items, particularly in high-demand markets.

Strategic Timing Amid Global Shifts

Amazon’s expansion into the Caribbean comes as global companies look for nearshore alternatives to Asia-based logistics chains. The region’s proximity to the U.S., bilingual talent, and expanding trade infrastructure make it an attractive investment destination — if regional coordination can keep pace.

The Dominican Republic, already one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, now adds another badge: Caribbean logistics gateway. The challenge — and opportunity — is whether other nations will follow suit, compete, or collaborate.

Conclusion: Signal or Starting Point?

Amazon’s new hub isn’t just a milestone – it’s a message. The Caribbean is no longer just a vacation destination or offshore tax zone. It’s a rising logistics and e-commerce frontier. Whether the rest of the region can ride this momentum will depend on leadership, infrastructure investment, and bold policy choices.