Latest update November 19th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Referendum on oil contract crucial before any future negations with Exxon-WPA
- Foreign companies making US millions in Guyana must pay fair share of taxes-says Jagdeo
- Risk of famine in Gaza has reached disaster levels’: Turkey’s President
- Woman raped and robbed in Linden
- Brutus on $16.25M bail for 231 financial crime charges
New tobacco legislation should be revised – Demtoco
Chandradat Chintamani
Managing Director of Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO), Chandradat Chintamani, in an invited comment, has stated that there needs to be a review of the soon to be implemented tobacco legislation.
On Monday, Chintamani stated that his company has been supportive of the issue and is a responsible entity. He asserts that there needs to be appropriate regulations to deal with the matter.
“We feel it is important that the right regulations can be implemented, recognizing the market that we are working in so that we can deal with the issue in a holistic manner.”
However, as it relates to the tobacco company having to fund medical expenses for persons becoming ill as a result of prolonged use of tobacco products, Chintamani insists that this should not be.
“We pay a significant amount of taxes and we hope that some of those funds are being channeled to that area, it’s not right for us to be paying that, because those individuals have made a conscious decision to use the product while being aware of the possible side effects.”
Chintamai said it is difficult for his company to comprehend, since the legislation will in itself become an issue as it relates to alcohol products and other items.
“We believe it should be this way. Consumers are aware of the downside of using this product but yet they purchase it.”
Meanwhile, as it relates to being involved in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Chintamani said he is not surprised that they were advised before, but he maintains that the right regulation needs to be in place. He added that he remains confident that this aspect of the legislation will not be made into law, since it would open a new chapter as it relates to what product a person should get involved with.“We have been supportive in the advertising of the graphic health warning, since our product carries a visible health warning which is in keeping with the requirements.”
He added that research by his company has been ongoing and it has been involved in a number of programmes – the most recent being the ‘Youth Smoking prevention’ campaign.
According to Chintamani, his company has also been advising retailers to abstain from selling the product to minors. He said there continues to be the issue of smugglers who continue to ply their trade and try by all means to get the product off of their hands. To this end, he stressed, the company will also support legislation which deals with the smuggling of products.
A recently completed Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) has provided new numbers that guide Guyana’s comprehensive tobacco control programme.
According to the study, which targeted 1,751 students, aged 13 to 15 years old, 72 per cent of them saw anti-smoking messages; 56 per cent pro-cigarette ads on billboards and 58 per cent the same in newspapers and magazines, within the past month.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A shameful abdication of leadership
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- The PPPC government has reached a new low in its spineless defense of the lopsided Production... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
