DEMTOCO refutes Public Health Minister’s arguments in support of Tobacco Control Bill

Aug 09, 2017 News

Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) recently contested some of the arguments put forward by Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, in support of the Tobacco Control Bill.
In a statement to the media yesterday, DEMTOCO sought to clarify that it is not opposed to the industry being regulated, and thus the effort of the company is not to block the passage of the legislation.
The company reminded that the Minister has referred to the Bill as “an act to prevent smoking in indoor places and prevent the exposure of citizens to second hand smoke.” DEMTOCO said that it supports this intention. It noted, however, that the Tobacco Control Bill is more than this.
Contrary to what the Minister has said regarding Guyana joining other CARCIOM countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad in tobacco control legislation, DEMTOCO highlighted that those countries do not have some of the discriminatory and outright excessive measures introduced and passed in Guyana’s Bill.
DEMTOCO pointed out that both Jamaica and Trinidad removed the provision from their Bills, which included a person’s private home as a work place if that owner were to employ a gardener, a helper, or some other individual assisting around their home.
The entity said that those countries viewed the guaranteeing of the right of the privacy of one’s home as a fundamental principle. Additionally, the company asserted that contrary to the Minister’s previous statements, both countries have specifically included the provision to allow outdoor designated areas. Further, DEMTOCO noted that those countries have removed the reference to workplaces and private residences.
Importantly, the company sought to emphasize that neither country has any provision banning the selling of cigarettes in trays or barring its citizens from working within a government entity before five years have expired, if they worked with any entity or retail establishment within the tobacco industry.
DEMTOCO said, “The question therefore, is, why would Guyana want to pass these measures that are highly discriminatory and, which on the face of it, seems contrary to the Labour laws of Guyana.”
Furthermore, the company said that it welcomes the call of the Private Sector and other Business Associations for the Government to place the Bill into a Select Committee.
DEMTOCO is also calling on the President to intervene, so that the Bill can go before a Committee where it can be reviewed and all the excessive non-specific Tobacco measures highlighted, be removed or amended.

Latest News

DEMTOCO refutes Public Health Minister’s arguments in support of Tobacco Control Bill

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Green Machine returns to RAN Sevens

GASA snubs Delroy Tyrrell for World Championships

Cricket Australia appoints former West Indian...

GBA appoints International Technical Officer...

Warriors triumph but Royals lead standings

D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings...

Features/Columnists

A false panacea for electoral integrity

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

President Ali’s tough love

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

DEMTOCO refutes Public Health Minister’s arguments in support of Tobacco Control Bill

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]