NAFDAC defends ban on sachet alcohol, says measure targets underage drinking

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has defended the nationwide ban on sachet and small-pack alcoholic drinks, describing it as the most effective measure to curb rising cases of underage drinking in Nigeria.

Adeyeye spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a press conference marking the commencement of enforcement of the ban.

She said the enforcement exercise would be carried out jointly by NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

According to her, restricting the sale of alcohol in sachets and small-volume bottles that can easily be hidden would significantly reduce children’s access to alcoholic beverages.

Adeyeye noted that alcohol remains one of the most commonly abused substances among young people, adding that several studies have shown a steady rise in alcohol availability, production, importation and consumption across all age groups in recent decades.

She said easy access to alcohol has been identified as a major factor driving increased consumption among minors.

The NAFDAC chief recalled that the agency, in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), conducted a nationwide survey in 2021 to determine the level of alcohol abuse among underage consumers and retailers.

According to her, about 1,788 respondents were sampled across the six geopolitical zones.

Describing the findings as disturbing, Adeyeye said 54.3 per cent of minors and underage individuals obtained alcohol by themselves, while 49.9 per cent patronised retailers selling sachets and PET bottles.

She disclosed that about half of children consume alcohol, adding that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage individuals who purchased alcohol themselves opted for sachets because they are easy to conceal.

“Whether you are a good parent or a bad parent, it doesn’t really matter,” she said, noting that the packaging makes it easy for children to hide alcohol.

The survey also showed that 63.2 per cent of minors and 54 per cent of underage persons consume alcohol occasionally, compared with 44.3 per cent and 38.3 per cent of adults who drink occasionally and daily respectively.

Adeyeye further disclosed that children as young as nine years old were found to consume alcohol.

She added that many minors purchase alcohol themselves, with sachets sometimes selling for as low as ₦50.

While some individuals may profit from the trade, she warned that many children were jeopardising their future health, citing risks such as liver cirrhosis, kidney failure and mental instability.

The study also found that 11.7 per cent of underage children had engaged in binge drinking, with the highest incidence reported in Gombe State.

In terms of overall alcohol consumption, Lagos State and Rivers State recorded the highest levels.

Adeyeye emphasised that NAFDAC’s decision was guided by its statutory responsibility to protect public health, particularly that of children.