IN JAMAICA: Multi-Billion Company Carreras regrets scholarships may be hit by pending tobacco restrictions....On the other hand PALAS awarded 95 scholarships valued J$5.2 million for 2015-2016 go figure that one

BY STEVEN JACKSON Business reporter jacksons@jamaicaobserver.com  Tuesday, September 08, 2015  
CIGARETTE distributor Carreras Ltd expressed regret that pending regulations aimed at curtailing its advertising and sponsorship could stop it from offering scholarships. It represents an area that benefits the general public from the company whose products warn that ‘smoke may kill your children’.
“We talk about empowerment through education and we actually believe that,” charged managing director Marcus Steele in response to a query at the annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.
Carreras offers more annual scholarships than most other private entities in the island. For the 2014/15 academic year, Carreras awarded a total of 30 scholarships and five ‘National Scholarships’ valued at over $3.5 million, according to financial reports.
The Government, however, plans to implement a second phase of tobacco restrictions which could include a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship and scholarships.
“If successful, then we won’t be able to do that. That is a concern for us because we see the offering of scholarships as helping the recipients a lot,” Steele added.
The timeline for the implementation of phase 2 remains unspecified but it forms part of the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), ratified by Jamaica in 2005.
Carreras ceased media advertisements years ago but continues to promote and sponsor events geared at adults. In 2013 the Government implemented a smoking ban in enclosed spaces under the Public Health Tobacco Control Regulations. This resulted in a reduction in its sales volumes initially.
Steele indicated that Carreras set up an internal team to review the matter in order to engage with stakeholders based on a review of statements made by the Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson on the matter.
“I can assure you that we are listening to the Minister of Health and we have our concerns and we have put together a team internally to look at how we are going to approach him,” reasoned Steele.
“We have not approached the Minister of Education [Ronald Thwaites] on this matter because it is not yet tabled.” Carreras’ annual report indicates that through its scholarship programme the company demonstrates its commitment as a “responsible” corporate citizen. more

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tessanne Chin's Husband, Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr Moves Out Of Marital Home

IN JAMAICA: MURDER-SUICIDE, Woman cop, 28-year-old Pagiet Davie among two killed in suspected murder-suicide...."She was a person who was determined; she loved life and she was goal-oriented"

MATH PUZZLE : Here's The Answer To That Fruit Math Puzzle That's Driving Everyone Coconuts.... What's half a coconut plus one apple plus three bananas? Is the answer 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20. Go to www.RulaBrownNetwork.com for the correct answer.