– lack of will disappointing since tobacco is undisputed killer– Ramsammy
THE lack of commitment in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to agree on a standard for labelling and packaging tobacco products, a small step to addressing the problems caused by tobacco, is most disappointing.
This is according to Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who said the disappointment is especially noted on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, marked today across the world, under the theme ‘The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’ (FCTC).
The FCTC is the world’s foremost tobacco control instrument. It is the first treaty ever negotiated by the WHO and it represents a signal achievement in the advancement of public health
Ramsammy, speaking to stakeholders yesterday at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street in Georgetown, said, “We signed on the FCTC years ago, but have not implemented it with the zeal it deserves.”

Minister in Protest

The minister said that the lax attitude from the region in advancing commitment for the implementation of the objectives under the FCTC warrants protest.
He pointed out that regional leaders met this year at the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting, and again no consensus has been reached on a regional standard.
“Last year, four countries opposed the standard, this year two countries are still not in agreement,” he said.
Ramsammy stated that there has been undisputed recognition that tobacco is a killer, yet the will to save the lives of millions is not what it should be.
He explained that the target of the proposed standard is conservative, requiring 50 per cent of the front and back of the package to have warning labels.
According to the minister, Australia has approved a similar standard that requires 90 per cent of the front and 70 per cent on back of the package to have warning labels.
“Here we are, having talked so much about tobacco being a killer, and still we cannot take a small step to demonstrate that we are willing to walk the talk,” Ramsammy said.

Draft Legislation

Ramsammy noted that his ministry is moving forward to affect the necessary changes at a national level.
According to him, draft legislation on tobacco control in Guyana is being developed.
He stressed that Guyana needs public smoke free spaces, the prevention of access to children and teenagers, and higher taxes.
“Higher taxes work,” Ramsammy said, “It has been proven in many other countries.”
He noted that Guyana and the Caribbean Region needs to follow the example of Australia and make the change that will save millions of lives.
According to him, Guyana’s taxes are 27 per cent of the retail price of tobacco products, whereas in Australia it is 80 per cent of the retail price.
“We have to be bold,” Ramsammy said.

Tragic Numbers

The Cara Lodge forum was used as the platform to release the results of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) that was conducted in 2010 and Ramsammy stressed that the statistics are worrying.
The GYTS is a school based survey that looked at several factors and is used to monitor the use of tobacco by students and also guide intervention programmes and relevant policies. It is the third such survey to be conducted, the others having been done in 2000 and in 2004.
“The survey shows tragic numbers and it calls on us to increase education and awareness backed by legislation,” he said.
According to the survey, more boys than girls are smoking; there is an increase in the number of girls using tobacco; and there is an increase of tobacco products, such as chewable tobacco and cigars, that are being used.
Also concerning is the fact that a significant percentage of the 1,000 plus persons that participated in the survey indicated that they would consider starting to smoke – and these are only some of the key points that were highlighted in the survey done by the Ministry’s Adolescent and Child Health Unit.
The one encouraging statistic revealed in the survey is the fact that three quarters of the respondent advocate for public smoke free spaces, likewise with the adult population.
Some eight million people are expected to be affected by tobacco use by 2030 and, in Guyana, the minister noted that while use among the adult population is reducing, usage among the younger populations is on the rise.
“We are not winning this battle,” he stressed.
Ramsammy pointed to one factor affecting success in this fight, what he calls the confusion that young minds are subjected to.
He explained that on one hand, advocates of a world free of tobacco use are promoting anti-smoking messages, and on the other hand, manufactures are promoting their products.
“Manufacturers have resources we cannot match,” Ramsammy said.
According to the minister, smoking not only kills, but it reduces one’s life span; more particularly it contributes to an array of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
On May 31st each year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) celebrates World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption.
Currently tobacco use is the second cause of death globally (after hypertension), and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide, and is the number one preventable epidemic that the health community faces.