Cayman Islands residents are being invited to weigh in on a wide-ranging package of legislative proposals covering public health, environmental health, healthcare regulation and vaping.
A 28-day public consultation period with town hall meetings held throughout each of the three islands is scheduled to begin on 21 August for the four pieces of proposed legislation.
They are the Public Health Bill, 2026; Environmental Health Bill, 2026; Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability will also host a series of town halls beginning early in the month across all three islands.
In a press release on 27 July, the government described the package as “one of the most significant reforms of the Cayman Islands’ health legislation in decades”.
It said it is aimed at addressing evolving public health challenges like emerging infectious diseases, environmental risks and the rise of vaping among young people.
Public Health Bill, 2026
Described as the “heart of the programme”, the Public Health Bill, 2026 seeks to modernise Cayman’s public health framework, establishing a dedicated Department of Public Health with the aim of preventing and controlling infectious disease.
The department would oversee public health surveillance, disease prevention, public health programmes, research, specialist advice and emergency preparedness.
The bill would also establish the statutory roles of the chief medical officer and chief nursing officer, and allow for designation and quality standards of public health laboratories.
Environmental Health Bill, 2026
This bill would establish Cayman’s first, standalone environmental health legislation, defining the powers and responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Health, the director of environmental health and environmental health officers.
The bill recognises environmental health as a pillar of public health, covering a wide range of concerns, including food safety and hygiene, drinking water quality, laboratory services, statutory nuisances, potentially harmful trades, air quality, noise and vibration, waste management, sanitation, vector control and enforcement measures.
The bill would empower the Department of Environmental Health to educate, regulate and act regarding these areas affecting public health.
Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The proposed amendments to the Health Practice Act seek to strengthen governance and enable councils established under the act to delegate functions to committees.
The delegation powers aim to create greater operational flexibility while maintaining oversight and accountability in regulating healthcare professionals.
The amendments would also support the transition of oversight of the Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing to the Cayman Islands Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Councils would also be able to establish education committees to ensure educational institutions, curricula and training programmes meet safety and professional standards.
Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026 takes aim at the rise in vaping, restricting the use of vaping products to people over the age of 18 and banning disposable vapes.
The bill addresses a gap in Cayman’s legal framework, which does not currently regulate vaping products.
Town hall schedule
Environmental health town halls
- Monday, 3 August, 7pm to 9pm, John Gray Memorial Church Hall, West Bay
- Tuesday, 4 August, 7pm to 9pm, Seafarer’s Hall, Red Bay
Health legislation town halls
- Wednesday, 26 August, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, John Gray Memorial Church Hall, West Bay
- Thursday, 27 August, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Constitution Hall, George Town
Sister Islands town halls
- Friday, 7 August, 5pm to 7pm, Aston Rutty Civic Centre, Cayman Brac
- Saturday, 8 August, 1pm to 3pm, Little Cayman Beach Resort
