Smoking in public on the decline in Guyana

HEALTH MINISTER, DR. FRANK ANTHONY IS CREDITING HIS GOVERNMENT’S
RIGID ENFORCEMENT OF THE 2017 TOBACCO CONTROL ACT for the dip in
cigarette use publicly and less exposure of non-users to its toxic smoke nationwide.
But he didn’t provide national statistics to back-up his claims.
“Guyana reaffirms our commitment prioritising tobacco control and to implementing the
convention. We recognise the support of the WHO and PAHO, the FCTC and the parties in our
region in our country’s success,” Minister Anthony said during his progress report Wednesday
on the country’s implementation of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC.).

With the passage of the Tobacco Control Act four years ago, Guyana established the National
Tobacco Control Council which regulates the use of popular global brands of ‘ciggies’ and their
by-products.
Anthony boasted that enforcement of the legislation and its regulations have led to dramatic
declines in tobacco advertising and promotion in the traditional mass media here. He said
sticking to the law has also forced a decline in sponsorship and lobbying.
“Our packaging and labelling regulations adopted in 2018 are consistent with the graphic health
warnings and tobacco advertising guidelines. All importers now comply with our packaging
guidelines. We note the increasing popularity of the novel and emerging tobacco products, such
as water pipe tobacco. More enforcement will be done to ensure compliance with the law,” the
minister promised, explaining the thawing off due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO said the purpose of the FCTC is to protect present and future generations from the
devastating social, environmental, health and economic consequences of tobacco use, and
exposure to second and third-hand tobacco smoke.
As is law in many other countries, Guyana’s laws bars smoking in any indoor workplace or
public space, public transport or any means of transport carrying a minor.
Smokers are also prohibited exercising the habit within five meters of a window, doorway, or
from the outside boundary of a healthcare, educational or childcare facility.
It is also prohibited to smoke in stadiums, national places of significance or any place of
commercial service offering food or drinks for sale, Minister Anthony reminded.