This decision was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.
As a result of the decision reached at the end of the committee meeting, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce the production by five per cent with effect from January 31st, 2022, while ensuring the product is completely phased out in the country by January 31st, 2024.
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NAFDAC bans production of alcoholic beverage in sachets
Sachet alcohol, often sold in small, inexpensive plastic pouches, has become a ubiquitous presence in communities across Nigeria. However, the ease of availability and affordability has led to rampant abuse, contributing to various health and social issues.
A 2019 report by scientific journal BMC Public Health while referring to the 2014 global status report on alcohol and health by WHO revealed that Nigeria ranked 27th globally in respect to alcohol drinking age (age 15+) in liters per year. This made it one of the leading African countries in alcohol consumption.
From the above stated data, it is safe to note that alcohol consumption is a major contributor to the prevalence of anti-social vices among the younger ones in addition to its attendant negative health effect on them.
Hence NAFDAC’s decision to ban sachet alcohol reflects a commitment to effecting the agreement reached and to addressing these challenges head-on.
At a press conference in Abuja NAFDAC’s Director-General, Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye outlined the agency’s rationale behind the ban. “The pervasive consumption of sachet alcohol has reached alarming levels, leading to a surge in alcohol-related health problems and social disturbances. By banning these products, we aim to protect the well-being of our citizens and foster a healthier society,” she emphasized.
The ban encompasses a wide range of alcoholic products packaged in sachets, including gins, spirits, and other distilled beverages. NAFDAC has cited concerns over the quality control and standardization of these products as additional reasons for the prohibition.
The agency aims to permanently curb the production and distribution of substandard and potentially harmful alcoholic beverages, which often pose serious risks to consumers.
Public health experts have lauded NAFDAC’s decision, viewing it as a pivotal step in addressing the country’s escalating alcohol-related issues.
A Clinical Psychologist McFredericks Akor Edache said: “The decision to ban alcohol in sachets is really a welcomed development because this shows that the agency is truly concerned for the health of the nation.
“As a clinical psychologist, I have had to attend to a number of people who became hooked on alcohol and other substances by taking little by little and eventually became hooked to it as an addiction.
“Substance use disorder, which is one of the concerns of mental health, is a serious condition in which people spend a lot of money to get treated and detoxified.
“So if this ban is effectively implemented, I’m sure it would reduce the excessive intake of alcohol and by extension reduce anti-social activities.”
A Public Health analyst, Dr. Dahiru Animoku explained that the ban would help reduce the incidence of alcohol-related injuries, violence and accidents, leading to a decrease in the burden on healthcare systems and emergency services.
“This ban can help prevent underage individuals from accessing and consuming alcohol, thereby reducing the risk of long-term health consequences associated with early alcohol use such as liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer.
“If effectively implemented and monitored, the ban can equally encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their overall alcohol intake, leading to improved public health outcomes,” he said.
The health expert however noted that the effectiveness of the ban in achieving these outcomes can depend on various factors, including enforcement, public attitudes and availability of alternative support and resources for individuals affected by the bans.
This development, though with great positive impacts, has not been without controversy as different Civil Society Groups argued that the prohibition of sachet alcohol might lead to a surge in unemployment rate as manufacturers of such products might be forced to leave their jobs, thereby leading to increased criminality.
Led by the Coalition Against Economic Saboteurs, the groups staged a protest against the ban calling for the removal of NAFDAC DG, Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye for what they termed ‘anti-people’s policy.’
They argued that the new policy would further pile more problems on the Nigerian economy as it may lead to the eventual shutdown of the industries producing these products.
With these arguments and counter-arguments, one might be left to ask whether NAFDAC‘s ban on sachet alcohol will yield positive outcomes.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has established that children who drink alcohol are more likely to use drugs, get bad grades, suffer injury or death, engage in risky sexual activity, make bad decisions, and have health problems.
The body also stated that harmful consumption of alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions including infectious diseases like Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and non-communicable conditions which includes liver cirrhosis and different types of cancer.
To curb the menace of abuse of alcohol, WHO recommended some actions and strategies to policymakers that have shown to be effective and cost-effective, which includes regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, and regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol.
By the foregoing, it is safe to emphasize that NAFDAC’s ban on sachet alcohol stands as a decisive and proactive measure to address a growing public health concern. The move reflects a commitment to prioritize the well-being of citizens and underscores the importance of regulatory actions in shaping a healthier and more responsible society.
Though not certain whether the ban can stand the test of time, one thing apparent is that NAFDAC’s resolute stance sets a precedent for other nations facing similar challenges in the battle against alcohol-related issues.
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