GNBS seizes cigarettes over labelling concerns

Oct 21, 2021 News

Kaieteur News – The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) recently seized 542 packs of cigarettes which do not meet the requirements of the National Standard “GYS 9-3:2014 Labelling of Tobacco Products” and the Tobacco Control Regulation of 2018.

Some of the cigarettes that were seized by the GNBS

According to the GNBS, the items were seized from a number of sale outlets in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six, following surveillance inspections that were conducted. During surveillance visits to shops and supermarkets, GNBS Inspectors found several brands of cigarettes, which were not labelled in English, while other packages did not include a pictorial warning as specified by the Tobacco Control Regulation. The Regulation specifies that pictorial warnings should be placed on each packet and must cover 60 percent of the top front and back of the packets.
Additionally, Inspectors found that some packets did not include a declaration relating to the constituents and emission information, name and address of the manufacturer, importer or distributor, the date of manufacture or batch number. Further, some brands were not approved for sale in Guyana. The many brands of cigarettes seized include Atlanta, Milano, SPEED, Marshal, Bulls and Bears, Aurora, Record, Silver Elephant, 51, Royal, Darkis, Indosu and Nashville.
GNBS Inspectors conduct regular surveillance to ensure that tobacco products, which do not conform to the requirements, are not sold to local consumers. Such items are seized and destroyed. Earlier this year, the GNBS destroyed 290,000 packs of imported cigarettes found at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The cigarettes, which were branded “US Mild 1” and imported from Brazil by a local business, were destroyed at the Lethem dumpsite in the presence of the GNBS Inspector stationed in the Region. Additionally, in 2020, GNBS Inspectors seized 664 packets of cigarettes, which were also destroyed.
To avoid seizure of items, importers and dealers are reminded to ensure that their products adhere to the requirements of the standard and regulation. Retailers are also cautioned against purchasing cigarettes, which do not contain warnings and other required information on the individual packages.
According to the GNBS, it will continue surveillance exercises across the country to remove substandard products from retail outlets. Other products monitored by the GNBS include Electrical and Electronic Appliances, Weighing and Measuring Devices, Textiles, Garments, Footwear, Safety Helmets, Safety Matches, Tyres, Gas Stoves, Cigarettes, PVC Pipes, Furniture, Toys and Playthings, Christmas Trees and Decorative Lighting, Cellular Phones, Gold Articles, Electrical Equipment and Fittings.