– Subject Minister calls for decisive action in tobacco industry

TAKING decisive action and implementing measures were among the charges given to the National Tobacco Council when they met with Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, at the Health Sector Development Unit’s (HSDU) boardroom Camp Street, Georgetown on Friday.

“I am happy that Guyana has achieved many firsts in the Region of the Caribbean, the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill by the National Assembly and his Excellency’s assent to the Bill in 2017 and Guyana received the PAHO/WHO award for World No Tobacco Day 2018,” the minister said at the launch of the council.

She said in establishing the council, there is a duty to ensure that the proper advice is given to the Minister of Public Health on tobacco control, administration and enforcement of the Act.

“You have a mandate to advise me and please ensure that you advise me giving me all the facts and all the horror stories too, because it’s part of my mandate. Please do not withhold anything from me,” the minister told the council.

She said that Guyanese want a tangible and truthful commitment from the council.
Minister Lawrence explained that the tobacco epidemic must be addressed and being on the council will enable members to have an in-depth insight as to why government and the Public Health Ministry are taking a stance on tobacco.

She said by 2030, it is projected that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) will account for more than 75 per cent of deaths worldwide and Guyanese are falling prey to the four main groups of NCD’s which are: cardio vascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes.

Adding that all these diseases are increasing in Guyana, the minister said the country cannot afford the loss of human resources and the diseases’ impact on the economy.
“With all stakeholders on board, we know we can find that commitment to reverse the statistics and safeguard the potential of our people,” the minister said.

Underscoring that the Ministry of Public Health play a pivotal role to ensure decisive actions are taken to mitigate the effect of tobacco use, the minister told members of the council that “I need to see action. That is what will help us, not the paper work, not the talk, and sometimes taking those actions, you will find yourself not in a friendly position.”

She continued: “I want you to remain steadfast on what you are asked to do on this council, it is not just about you or your family, this is about the entire nation and future generations too, because nobody speaks for the unborn child until it’s too late.”

Over 15 per cent of the adult population is currently engaged in the habit of smoking and the results of a Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2015, revealed that 14.8 per cent of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 years also use tobacco.
The National Tobacco Act includes preparation for labelling and packaging regulations and the production of no-smoking signs.

Guyana is also implementing an information, education and awareness campaign to address some of the myths and misconceptions being promulgated by the tobacco industry.
The National Tobacco Act enacted in Guyana follows several of the articles of this Convention and mandates the adoption and implementation of a series of tobacco-control policies that make it one of the most complete tobacco control laws.

These include: 100 per cent smoke-free environments in all indoor public spaces, indoor work spaces, public transportation and specified outdoor spaces to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke; a ban on all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; health warnings must be featured on 60 per cent of tobacco product packaging, including images.

Additionally, there is a ban on the sale of tobacco products to and by minors, a ban on the manufacture and sale of toys and candies, and any other good in the form of tobacco products and prohibition on vending machines sales.