Ban on sale of sachet alcoholic drinks remains – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not reverse its ban on small-volume alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike, said enforcement of the ban is already underway, targeting manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcoholic beverages. Ukadike said the next phase of the enforcement would involve removing the remaining affected products from the market.

He added that the ban would not disrupt legitimate businesses, noting that companies can continue producing alcoholic beverages in bottles of 200ml or more. According to him, arrests and seizures have already been recorded across the South-East, including in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

Ukadike said protecting children from early exposure to alcohol was a major reason behind the policy. “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 said.

He also urged consumers to moderate their alcohol consumption, saying the absence of sachet alcohol should not be viewed as a major setback. Addressing concerns about affordability, Ukadike maintained that public health considerations take precedence over commercial interests.

He added that within the next 12 months, Nigeria is expected to have a regulatory framework under which no alcoholic drink will be sold in packaging smaller than 200ml. Some consumers expressed mixed reactions to the ban. Charles Otubo said the restriction should apply only in motor parks to help reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.

Another consumer, identified simply as Godwin, said he had seen schoolchildren buying sachet alcoholic drinks, putting them in their school bags and taking them to school. He suggested that alcoholic drinks should instead be sold only at designated liquor stores.