NAFDAC Sticks to Ban on Small Alcoholic Drinks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made it clear that the ban on small alcoholic drinks in Nigeria is final.

Festus Ukadike, the NAFDAC Zonal Director for the South-east, shared this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday.

Mr Ukadike mentioned that enforcement has started. This includes targeting manufacturers and distributors of small sachet alcoholic drinks.

He added that the next step would be to remove any remaining sachet alcohol products from the market.

He assured that businesses would not suffer much from the ban since companies can still make alcohol in bottles of at least 200ml.

Mr Ukadike reported that there have been arrests and seizures in the region, covering Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Anambra states.

He explained that protecting children’s health was a key reason for the ban on sachet alcohol.

He said it is important to shield Nigerian children from unhealthy drinking habits.

“If our children are no longer exposed to sachet alcohol, they will live healthier lives, curb antisocial behaviours and promote the country’s fight against cancer and other terminal diseases,” he stated.

Mr Ukadike urged consumers to limit their alcohol intake. He said missing out on sachet alcohol is not a big loss.

On worries about prices, he said that public health is more important than business profits.

Mr Ukadike predicted that within 12 months, Nigeria would have a clear rule where no alcohol is available in any packaging smaller than 200ml.

Some consumers of sachet drinks have shared mixed feelings about the ban.

While some people support the ban, others believe it will make alcohol too expensive for low-income earners.

A consumer named Charles Otubo suggested that the ban should only apply at motor parks to avoid accidents on the roads.

Another consumer, who only gave his name as Godwin, shared that he has seen school children buying sachet drinks and taking them to school. He suggested that these drinks should only be available at licensed liquor stores.