The Digest:
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Adeyeye, has reaffirmed the agency's commitment to enforcing the nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles below 200ml. Speaking amidst protests at NAFDAC's Lagos office, Adeyeye stated the ban is necessary because sachet alcohol is easily accessible to children and young people, posing significant long-term health risks. She cited the high alcohol concentration in such products and explained that a five-year moratorium given to manufacturers ended in December 2025. Adeyeye emphasized that enforcement will continue unless a new law is passed to stop it.
Key Points:
- The ban aims to protect children and adolescents from early exposure to high-concentration alcohol, which can cause lasting physiological damage.
- Enforcement follows the conclusion of a lengthy grace period intended to allow beverage producers to adjust their business models.
- The policy highlights a significant regulatory effort to address public health concerns over substance abuse and social disruption.
- The stance sets up a potential conflict between public health objectives and the economic interests of manufacturers and sellers.
- NAFDAC's determination underscores its role in implementing international health agreements, such as the WHO directive on underage alcohol access.
NAFDAC's firm position on sachet alcohol places child welfare and long-term public health at the forefront of Nigeria's regulatory agenda, despite industry resistance.
Sources: Daily Trust
