Guyana

Tobacco Control Policies

Guyana became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 14, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is banned in all indoor public places, all indoor work places, and on public transport. In addition, smoking is banned in several outdoor locations, including on the premises of health care, child care or educational facilities, within five meters of a window or door to an indoor public place or indoor workplace, public waiting areas such as bus stops, and in parks and playgrounds.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law imposes a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are also prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating combined picture and text health warnings are required to be displayed on 60 percent of the front and back of tobacco product packages. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited. The law requires qualitative statements on constituents and emissions, and bans emission yields such as tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide from being displayed on tobacco product packaging.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Guyana are well below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport Yes
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs Yes
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts Yes
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display Yes
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 4
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 60%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 60%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 60%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 460.00 GYD
Total taxes 25%
In US dollars 2.21 USD
Total excise 11%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: February 5, 2021