Tobacco dealers need to re-register to ply wares

(CNS): Tobacco dealers only have one month left to apply for registration to trade next year if they wish to carry on selling the product.  Tuesday, 1 November is the deadline to apply for renewal for 2012. A total of 138 tobacco dealers registered last year and Mark Scotland the health minister thanked the business community for their support in implementing the provisions of the tobacco legislation: “Business owners have been very accommodating of the changes and we hope to see this trend continue,” he said as he advised anyone with doubts about the legislation or if anyone was still selling tobacco products without a registration certificate to contact the Public Health Department to avoid prosecution.

“According to the Tobacco Law, everyone dealing with tobacco products must register annually and display the Certificate of Registration (similar to a Trade and Business License). Also, failing to re-new the registration in time will attract late fees,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar said.

Applications submitted after 1 November and up to 31 December will attract a late fee of an additional 50% of the registration fee. Applications submitted after 31 December and up to 31 January will attract a late fee of an additional 100% of the registration fee. If no application for renewal is received by 31 January, dealers will have to cease operation for 12 months before submitting a new application.

The annual registration renewal fees are CI$500 for a retailer; CI$750 for a cigar bar, and CI$5,000 for a wholesale distributor or importer. Applicants will need a renewal application form (Form 3); a current Trade and Business License Certificate; and, if there were any changes in dealership since the last registration such as contact information, location, ownership or trade of products, Form 1 (application for registration as a tobacco dealer) in order to renew their registration.

Application forms and guidelines are available from the Ministry of Health’s website. For further information contact Ms. Annadurai Richards, Tobacco Registrar, Public Health Department, Cayman Islands Hospital on 244-2889 or email at annadurai.richards@hsa.ky