The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has commenced the implementation of the ban on sachet alcohol, small-volume pet and glass alcohol beverage bottles under 200ml by shutting some factories producing them.
This followed the expiration of the five-year ultimatum given by NAFDAC for these categories of alcoholic products to be phased phase out of circulation. We strongly support the ban of these cheap and harmful products, which have become rampant across the country.
Before the commencement of the implementation of the ban, NAFDAC had, in January, 2022, stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume pet and glass bottles below 200ml in the country. The move followed the recommendation of a high-powered committee, composed of NAFDAC, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry stakeholders. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the ban was aimed at controlling unrestricted underage access to alcoholic drinks which posed health risks to the youths, who are the primary consumer of these products.
She also explained that the agency did not act hastily in the implementation of the policy: “The five-year period granted to the industry stakeholders was a practical, reasonable, and sufficient time for full compliance with the phase-out of the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume pet and glass bottles below 200ml.” NAFDAC should be applauded for sticking to the deadline for the implementation of the ban on sachet alcohol. However, the ban of sachet alcohol has been criticized with some unions calling for its reversal. For instance, the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) has kicked against the ban and asked NAFDAC to reverse it within 14 days. FOBTOB noted that the ban would affect over 5,000 workers in the distilling and blending sector of the economy.
No doubt, the production of sachet alcohol and small-volume pet and glass bottle alcohol below 200 ml has created many job opportunities for many Nigerians who do not need big production plants to start the business. Apart from impending job losses, it is anticipated that the ban would lead to loss of tax revenue. Nevertheless, preventing the harmful effects of the consumption of sachet alcohol is more important than the economic gains. Any beverage that will have deleterious effect on the health of Nigerians should be banned.
The accusation that NAFDAC has been working for the interest of foreign alcohol manufacturers whose financial fortunes have plummeted with the competition presented by Nigerian manufacturers, who mostly produce these smaller and cheaper volumes of alcoholic beverages does not hold water. Over all, the health benefits of the ban far outweigh the demerits. NAFDAC needs the support of all stakeholders to rid the country of the ubiquitous cheap alcoholic products, many of which are chiefly produced with ethanol, without considering the health implications of its consumption.
Unhindered access to these products has a correlation with rising insecurity in the country. Youths are led to throw caution to the wind when under the influence of alcohol purchased at cheap prices. Cases of rapes and abnormal behaviours among children have also been linked to the abuse of these products. If the production of these cheap products is not urgently checked, there is fear that more illegal manufacturers would spring up across the country.
While we support the ban of sachet alcohol by NAFDAC, we suggest that the operations of licensed manufacturers of the alcoholic beverages should be adequately regulated. This will save the jobs and loss of tax revenue arising from the ban. Since Nigeria has a poor history of implementing bans on outlawed products, we urge NAFDAC and security agencies to ensure that this ban is effectively enforced. It must not be business as usual. They should show more commitment in shutting down identified bases of the manufacturers of these products and prosecute those involved.
Nigeria is one of the 193 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that reached a consensus on a global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol with resolution WHA63.13 at Geneva in 2010. The implementation of this ban should not be treated with kid gloves. More enlightenment is advocated on the implications of consuming cheap but destructive alcoholic beverages.