Medical experts have raised alarms over the potential health crisis following the House of Representatives’ and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC) decision to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. They predict a spike in alcohol-related health issues, increased road traffic accidents, and a rise in alcohol abuse.
The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, indicated that the ban would only be reinstated once the economy has fully recovered. The ban, which came into force on February 1, 2024, was part of an initiative by NAFDAC to curb the importation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below. The policy was based on a 2018 recommendation by a high-powered committee including the Federal Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies.
Despite the ban, persistent protests from distillers and labour unions, who argue it threatens 500,000 jobs and N800bn in investments, have led to its reversal.
Professor Tanimola Akande, a public health expert at the University of Ilorin, warned that the lifting of the ban is likely to lead to widespread alcohol-related problems. “Sachet alcohol beverages contain ethanol, which in high concentration can lead to alcohol poisoning,” he said. “Many are adulterated with methanol and other toxic substances. Their low cost makes them easily accessible, even to minors, posing significant public health concerns including liver and cardiovascular diseases, increased road accidents, and crime.”
Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, a family medicine expert at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, echoed these concerns, emphasising the need for continued education about the dangers of sachet alcohol. “With the ban lifted, young people and vulnerable individuals will find it easier to obtain alcohol, leading to increased health risks such as liver problems, heart diseases, and cancers. This is particularly troubling given the ease with which these beverages can be abused,” he stated.
Prof Muhammad Muhammad, President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, also stressed that lifting the ban would lead to increased health complications. “Accessibility to alcohol will become easier, especially for children and vulnerable groups. This could result in widespread addiction and severe health issues,” he warned.
These experts collectively call for reconsideration of the policy, citing the severe public health implications and the potential for exacerbating existing health crises in Nigeria.
