GNBS seizes 542 packs of improperly labelled cigarettes

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), upon surveillance inspections to various sales outlets in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), has seized a total of 542 packs of cigarettes which failed to meet the labelling requirements.
The requirements are stipulated in the National Standards “GYS 9-3:2014 Labelling of Tobacco Products”, and the Tobacco Control Regulation of 2018.
On Wednesday, the agency stated that during surveillance visits to shops and supermarkets, 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% of the top front and back of the packets.”
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.
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.
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, Inspectors seized 664 packets of cigarettes, which were also destroyed.
To this end, the GNBS is urging importers and dealers to avoid seizure of items by ensuring 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.
The GNBS 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.