The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is advising the public to exercise caution when buying cigarettes as it has found counterfeit and inadequately labelled Bristol, Marlboro and other popular brands for sale on the local market.
In a press release the GNBS said its inspectors found several brands of cigarettes which were counterfeit and/or inadequately labelled during surveillance checks in regions four, five and six. It said the cigarettes were in breach of the national standard for the labelling of cigarettes (GYS 9-3:2004). Inspectors found counterfeit Bristol cigarettes which are believed to be smuggled from Suriname and are almost identical to the original Bristol Cigarettes but for the expiry date which showed that they expired since December 10.
The GNBS also seized the following quantities and brands of cigarettes: eight cartons of Morello brand cigarettes, 48 cartons and 28 packets of the Capital brand of cigarettes, 11 packets of the Fast brand, 11 packets of the smart brand, six packets of Marlboro, eight packets of Jaisalmer and two cartons of the counterfeit Bristol. It said the non-compliant brands of cigarettes were being sold at some outlets despite numerous appeals to dealers to discontinue the purchase and sale of them. The GNBS also said that most of the non-compliant brands are being smuggled from Suriname and are sold at cheaper prices.
It advises the public that these bogus cigarettes threaten their safety and health and advises them to desist from purchasing and using the said products. The release said inspectors found the Pall Mall, the original Bristol and Dunhill brands to be compliant with the standard. Meanwhile, it warned distributors and retailers who continue to flout the law that its inspectors will continue to seize and destroy the offending brands.
