PSC calls on Gov’t to address civil rights issues in Tobacco Bill

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has joined the call by the Tobacco industry to refer the Tobacco Control Bill to a Select Committee and has also urged the Government to address the civil rights issues contained in the Bill through the utilisation of the process of the Select Committee of Parliament.

The Bill was recently passed in the National Assembly and has to be assented to by President David Granger. In a statement issued on Thursday, the PSC said it has taken note of the ongoing expressed views on the Tobacco Bill while it also appreciates the international obligations that were signed on to by Guyana.  The Commission said it is aware of the reasons for the introduction of the Bill as well as the hazards which it addresses.

“We are aware that the Government of Guyana believes that the World Health Organisation’s Protocols dictate that Government should not engage in dialogue with the tobacco industry.The Private Sector Commission views this as an inconsistency. Ours is an independent jurisdiction called Guyana and most democracies were built on dialogue,” the PSC noted.