290,000 packs of imported cigarettes destroyed for non-compliance with Tobacco Regulations

…GNBS  urges importers and dealers of cigarettes to become familiar with the Tobacco Regulations

Some 290,000 packs of imported cigarettes have been destroyed in Lethem, Region Nine as instructed by the Product Compliance Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) due to their non-compliance with Guyana’s Tobacco Regulations.

In a release on Tuesday, the GNBS stated that the cigarettes, which were branded US Mild 1 and imported by a city business, were destroyed in an inferno at the Lethem dumpsite on May 13, 2021. They came in 290 cases and were destroyed in the presence of the GNBS Inspector stationed in the Region.

“During routine surveillance inspections, the GNBS detected the sale of the cigarettes in the Lethem area, and the product was subsequently examined for compliance with the Tobacco Regulations of 2018. The examination found the product to be not in compliance with labelling and marking requirements,” the Bureau stated.

As a result, the aforementioned quantity of the non-complying product was seized by the GNBS and was prohibited from sale in Guyana. After a prolonged period of storage, the decision was taken by the distributor in conjunction with the GNBS to destroy the items.

In light of this seizure and destruction, the GNBS strongly urges importers and dealers of cigarettes to become familiar with the Tobacco Regulations to ensure imported cigarettes are fully in compliance at the time of importation.

Meanwhile, Inspectors of the GNBS will remain vigilant to ensure there is not a prevalence of non-complying cigarettes on sale in the city and other outlying areas.

The GNBS monitors the labeling and quality of products to ensure consumer protection. In addition to Cigarettes, the National Standards Body monitors Domestic Electrical/Electronic Appliances, Weighing and Measuring Devices, Textiles, Garments, Footwear, Safety Helmets, Safety Matches, New and Used Tyres, Gas Stoves, Electrical Equipment and fittings, PVC Pipes, Furniture, Christmas tree and Decorative Lighting Outfits, Cellular Phones and Gold Jewellery.