Last updated: February 5, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on unit packaging and labeling of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on cartons and any other outside packaging and labeling of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that health warnings be in English.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being in the principal language of the country.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law requires that normal opening of the package must not damage, conceal or otherwise hamper the visibility of health warnings. In the case of flip-top packs, the warnings may be temporarily separated upon opening.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this regard.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law requires that health warnings must not be damaged, concealed or obscured by required packaging and labelling markings.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this regard.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires a declaration regarding constituents and emissions. The following text is required on unit, carton and any other outside packaging and labeling of smoked tobacco products:
“Smoke from this product contains extremely addictive nicotine and toxic substances such as tar and carbon. No safe level of consumption exists for this product.”
The text must be printed, in specific type and color, on the sides of rectangular packages, adjacent to the health warning on others, and on secondary display areas on cartons.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines regarding the requirement to display qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law prohibits unit packaging and labeling of a tobacco product to contain emission yield figures or any statement or sign that might imply that one product or brand is less harmful than another.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to prohibiting the display of figures for emissions yields as these can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not currently required in Guyana. However, the Health Minister has the authority to prescribe by regulations, the content, color, size, font, print quality, layout, design, placement, display, rotation requirements, and all other implementing details related to health warnings.
The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)
The law prohibits the promotion of tobacco products with any packaging or labeling that is false, misleading, deceptive, or likely to create an erroneous impression about the product’s characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions. This includes descriptors, colors, trademarks and terms such as “low tar”, “light”, and “mild”, among others. The law prohibits any other terms in any language or signs suggesting or likely to suggest misleading terms.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to promotion by means that are false, misleading, or deceptive.
