By Crystal Ugoeze
Why we banned sachet alcohol, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has explained, saying the restriction was introduced to protect public health and safeguard the future of Nigerian children and the workforce.
Adeyeye said the indiscriminate consumption of alcohol had become increasingly difficult to control, with excessive drinking posing serious risks to vital organs and potentially contributing to social problems, including banditry.
The NAFDAC boss spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
She explained that the sale of alcohol in sachets and small PET bottles was approved about three decades ago, but the consequences of the practice had become increasingly difficult to manage.
According to her, the agency subsequently introduced restrictions on alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and small bottles below 200ml.
She said the decision was taken despite resistance from some stakeholders because NAFDAC considered the measure necessary to protect public health.
“You know, when you are doing something that is right, something that is going to safeguard the health of our people, something that is going to foster trade, you will step on toes and get pushback,” Adeyeye said.
She described the widespread availability of small-sized alcoholic drinks as a situation that had become uncontrollable.
“This sachet alcohol was approved maybe 30 years ago, and when it was approved, I don’t think my predecessor who did the approval knew what was going to happen,” she said.
Adeyeye added that the agency had taken enforcement measures against manufacturers that violated the restriction.
“But this monster became uncontrollable. This monster stood out to destroy the future of our workforce, of our children,” she said.
She disclosed that NAFDAC had shut down three major companies for three weeks and arrested some individuals as part of its enforcement efforts.
The Director-General also said manufacturers had been required to sign undertakings not to produce alcoholic drinks in sachets or small bottles below 200ml.
She acknowledged that the policy had generated protests in some parts of the country, including Ibadan, but maintained that the restrictions were consistent with the National Alcohol Policy of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Adeyeye said the policy covers sachet alcohol and alcoholic drinks sold in PET bottles below 200ml.
Defending the ban, she warned that excessive alcohol consumption could have serious consequences for human health.
“They were demonstrating because they are seeing the situation now; they are not seeing into the future that alcohol destroys the brain, it destroys the lungs, it destroys the kidneys, the liver; it encourages banditry,” she said.
Adeyeye urged stakeholders and members of the public to view the restriction from the perspective of protecting public health and preventing long-term harm to the younger generation.
She maintained that NAFDAC would continue to enforce regulations aimed at reducing the harmful effects of alcohol consumption in Nigeria.