Summary:
NAFDAC says the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks will not be reversed.
Enforcement is ongoing, with arrests and product seizures recorded across the South-East.
The agency says only alcoholic drinks in bottles of 200ml or more will be allowed under the new policy.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not reverse its ban on the production and sale of small-volume alcoholic drinks in Nigeria, saying the policy is aimed at protecting public health, especially young people.Read original
The agency's South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Festus Ukadike, made this known during an interview, stressing that enforcement of the ban is already in progress. He said NAFDAC is currently targeting manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcoholic beverages, with the next phase focusing on clearing the remaining affected products from the market.
According to Ukadike, the policy is not intended to cripple legitimate businesses, as manufacturers are still permitted to produce alcoholic drinks in bottles of 200ml or larger.
He disclosed that enforcement operations have already led to arrests and seizures in several South-East states, including Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra.
Explaining the reason for the ban, Ukadike said the availability of sachet alcohol has made it easier for underage children to gain access to alcoholic drinks.
"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 advised Nigerians to consume alcohol responsibly, insisting that the removal of sachet alcoholic drinks should not be seen as a major inconvenience.
Responding to concerns about the affordability of larger bottles, Ukadike maintained that public health must take priority over commercial interests.
He further revealed that within the next 12 months, Nigeria is expected to fully implement a regulatory framework under which no alcoholic beverage will be sold in packaging smaller than 200ml.
Meanwhile, some consumers expressed differing opinions on the policy.
One resident, Charles Otubo, suggested that the restriction should apply mainly in motor parks to help reduce road accidents linked to drunk driving.
