I refer to Mr. Eshwar Ragnauth’s article captioned “Tobacco Standard stalled at tourism Ministry” that was published in Kaieteur Newspaper dated Saturday December 12, 2009, which seems to misinform the general public about the status of the tobacco standard in Guyana. The said letter was replete with fabrications and lies about the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

It must be noted, first of all, that Mr. Ragnauth’s opinion that “the standard was sitting on the Minister’s desk” is more a speculation rather than a fact, since the document was still engaging the attention of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under its standards development process. The development and production of a standard must go through a series of steps and stages in following due process and transparency requirements, and there must be adequate public consultation countrywide. Such consultations target all sectors, both public and private.

Mr. Ragnauth seems to be ignorant of the standardisation process. It seems necessary to point out that although the Draft Tobacco Standard was finalised as a Voluntary National Standard in August, 2009, the standardisation process requires that further steps be taken before the Standard is submitted to the Minister, who also must ensure that all requirements are fulfilled before the standard is submitted to Cabinet for approval. Mr. Ragnauth, like many others need to understand that the standardisation procedure is unique and as such, it is unethical for anyone to pronounce on a matter that he/she is not knowledgeable.

It is important to point out that the Guyana Chest Society is not on the Board of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, as incorrectly noted in the article.

From investigations carried out, there was no communication between the Guyana Chest Society or Mr. Ragnauth with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. Notwithstanding, such communication, should be effected with the GNBS, which institution coordinates the development of the standard, rather than the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

In addition, it is a blatant lie that the private sector was given another chance to comment on the standard in keeping with the request from the Tourism Minister. The GNBS is not aware of any new amendments required of the standard.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the GNBS is not aware of any new amendments required of the standard.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the GNBS, are aware of the importance of making the said standard mandatory and understand the urgent need for Guyana to satisfy the requirements of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) to which Guyana is a signatory. Due process however must be followed to ensure full transparency.

Moreover, the GNBS is currently tracking the status of the proposed Draft CARICOM Standard for Tobacco Products that is currently being developed by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) which would replace the current National Standard., The GNBS has to harmonise the National Standard with this Regional Standard.
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