Key stakeholder excluded from drafting new tobacco legislation

Key stakeholder in the tobacco trade, Demerara Tobacco Ltd. claims they were excluded from the consultation process for the drafting of the new tobacco legislation, which is expected to be tabled early next year.  In an interview with the Kaieteur News, Managing Director Maurlain Argyle-Kirton said it was disturbing that the Company was not included in the consultations. “Unfortunately and disturbingly, Demerara Tobacco has not been consulted despite many consultations on the Bill over the years,” she stated, stressing that the Company has not laid eyes on the content of the Bill as yet.  She asserted that despite many attempts to have engagement with the Public Health Ministry, no one sought to meet them.(Kaieteurnews.com/photo:Kaieteurnews.com)…[+]