Cayman’s Health Ministry is reminding tobacco dealers that Tuesday, 1 November 2011 is the deadline to apply for renewal of registration for 2012.

“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 advised.

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 as follows: CI$500 for a retailer; CI$750 for a cigar bar, and CI$5,000 for a wholesale distributor or importer.

The following documents are needed for renewal of registration: 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) as well.

A total of 138 tobacco dealers registered last year and the Hon. Mark Scotland, Minister of Health, 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.”

“If anyone has any doubts about the legislation, or if anyone is still selling tobacco products without a registration certificate please contact the Public Health Department to avoid prosecution,” he added.