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Demtoco rolls out new packaging as deadline looms
In another 10 days, new tobacco regulations mandating that cigarette packs display graphic health warnings will come into force.
Already, the Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (Demtoco) and the British American Tobacco have complied ahead of the deadline.
Demtoco’s Managing Director, Christopher Brown
Demtoco’s Managing Director, Christopher Brown, disclosed that because of new labeling and packaging regulations, the company has placed on the market cigarettes which packages have started to reflect the inclusion of graphic health warnings images on them.
“This is as a result of the recently passed tobacco control regulations and it is the next phase in terms of us complying with what the regulations require.”
According to Brown, it should not be lost that there is a deadline for the packages to reflect those warnings.
“It is very important for me to say that regulations come into effect as it relates to the labeling and packaging on February 25th. However, the company took the decision to bring those products in prior to the effective date of implementation…”
He stressed that between now and February 25th, it would be legal to purchase packs which have the old packaging.
“The second point to make is that come February 25th, we have to move into the new packaging regime now which requires that all packaging must have the images that are prescribed by law, and we have started to roll those out, and those are the packaging that you will see after February 25… and those who are selling, purchasing and consuming must only sell, purchase and consume those packages that have those brands.”
Brown pointed out that new regulations will affect not only the products offered by Demtoco, but all others.
Demtoco’s top-selling cigarettes are the Pall Mall and Bristol line. However, the regulations will affect a whole host of cigarette brands that are being smuggled and which authorities c
The graphic health warning that Demtoco has now placed on cigarette packages.
an now go after.
“So whoever imports, sells or distribute cigarettes in Guyana have to ensure that their products after the 25th of February are in compliance with the law. And I know that the GRA…I know that the police are being sensitized by the Ministry of Health to ensure that all such products that are non-compliant will not be allowed, and we as a company are preparing. We have to ensure that we are in full compliance.”
The new regulations assented to by President David Granger in 2017, bans smoking in certain public places, indoors and outdoors, and explains how cigarettes are to be vended.
The new laws also warned of penalties when it comes to cigarettes being sold to minors.
Brown insisted that the quality of Demtoco’s products have not changed…rather, only packaging has changed.
The industry makes hundreds of millions annually. However, the exact figures are unknown, as a large part of the tobacco trade in Guyana is illicit.
In fact, in neighbouring Suriname and a little further in Panama, it is estimated that seven out of every 10 cigarettes are smuggled.
In addition to the tax losses, there are also issues of questions about the conditions under which these cigarettes were produced, Demtoco had warned.
With the passage of the legislation, Guyana joins Jamaica, Trinidad and Suriname as the main English-speaking countries in the Caribbean, to have comprehensive tobacco laws.
There are others, with not so comprehensive legislation.
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