The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has defended its nationwide ban on sachet and small-pack alcoholic beverages, calling it a key measure to curb the rising incidence of underage drinking in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stated that the enforcement exercise will be jointly carried out by NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Key Findings on Underage Alcohol Consumption
- A 2021 survey conducted by NAFDAC and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) sampled 1,788 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
- About 50% of children consume alcohol, with 47.2% of minors opting for sachets due to ease of concealment.
- 54.3% of minors and underage persons obtained alcohol by themselves, while 49.9% patronised retailers selling sachets and PET bottles.
- Occasional consumption among minors stood at 63.2%, compared to 44.3% among adults.
- Binge drinking was reported in 11.7% of underage children, with the highest incidence in Gombe State.
- States with the highest overall alcohol consumption included Lagos and Rivers.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that small-pack alcohol, often sold for as little as N50, makes it easy for children to hide drinks from parents, increasing health risks such as liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and mental instability.
Objectives of the Ban
The NAFDAC DG emphasised that the ban is aimed at:
- Reducing minors’ access to alcoholic beverages
- Protecting public health, particularly that of children
- Supporting regulatory oversight and consumer protection
The exercise reflects NAFDAC’s statutory mandate to safeguard citizens’ health and addresses the alarming trend of underage alcohol abuse across the country.
