BAN ON SACHET ALCOHOL: NAFDAC BEGINS FULL ENFORCEMENT, SAYS NO COMPANY SHUT

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On Thursday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, or NAFDAC, resumed full enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles under 200 milliliters. The agency insisted that no company that produces alcohol has been shut down and that the action is only being taken to protect children and other vulnerable groups from the harmful use of alcohol.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare supports the enforcement, which complies with a Nigerian Senate directive. According to NAFDAC, the action is in line with its legal obligation to protect Nigerians from alcohol abuse, especially children, adolescents, and young people. Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, refuted allegations that the organization had sealed alcohol plants, emphasizing that only particular packaging styles are impacted. “No alcohol manufacturing company was shut down by NAFDAC. Alcohol in sachets and small containers less than 200 milliliters is prohibited, according to Adeyeye. She clarified that the broad availability of beverages with a high alcohol content in sachets and small bottles has made alcohol inexpensive, accessible, and concealable, which has led to an increase in its misuse by juveniles and certain commercial drivers.

She claims that the tendency has been connected to an increase in addiction, marital violence, auto accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices nationwide. The head of NAFDAC stated, “This ban is protective, not punitive.”

By prohibiting alcohol in tiny pack sizes, it is intended to protect the health and future of our children and young people. The choice is based on public health concerns and scientific data. Nigerians’ well-being cannot be sacrificed for financial gain. A country’s ultimate prosperity lies in its health. Adeyeye denied claims that warning labels like “Not for Children” could reduce consumption by minors, pointing out that it is still not feasible to implement such labels in Nigeria.

“Many parents do not know their children take alcohol in sachets because the pack size is cheap and can be easily concealed,” she said. “Reports from schools show that students hide sachet alcohol. A teacher recently reported that a student said he could not sit for an examination without first taking sachet alcohol.”

She recalled that the policy was not sudden, stressing that manufacturers had been given several years to adjust their production lines. In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with industry associations to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The moratorium was later extended to December 2025.

“The current Senate resolution aligns fully with the spirit and letter of that agreement,” Adeyeye said, adding that the action also fulfils Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol, which prioritises the protection of vulnerable populations.

She noted that NAFDAC continues to approve alcoholic beverages in larger pack sizes, emphasising that the aim of the ban is to make alcohol less accessible to underage persons.

“The small size of sachets makes it easy for children to conceal alcohol from parents and teachers. Larger pack sizes do not,” she said.

NAFDAC reiterated that only two packaging formats are affected by the regulation—spirit drinks in sachets and small PET or glass bottles below 200 millilitres—and warned that no further extension of the phase-out deadline would be granted beyond December 2025.

The agency said it would continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the National Orientation Agency to intensify nationwide sensitisation on the health and social dangers of alcohol misuse.

“NAFDAC remains resolute in ensuring that only safe, wholesome and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians,” Adeyeye said.

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