The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has defended the nationwide ban on sachet and small-pack alcoholic drinks, describing it as the most effective measure to curb rising cases of underage drinking in the country.
Adeyeye spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a press conference marking the commencement of enforcement of the ban.
She said the exercise would be jointly carried out by NAFDAC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
According to her, restricting the sale of alcohol in sachets and small-volume bottles, which can be easily hidden, would significantly reduce children’s access to alcoholic beverages. She noted that alcohol remains one of the most commonly abused substances among young people.
Adeyeye cited studies indicating a sharp rise in alcohol availability, production, importation, and consumption across all age groups in recent decades. She added that easy access to alcohol has been identified as a major factor fueling increased consumption among minors.
She recalled that NAFDAC in conjunction with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), conducted a survey in 2021.
The research, she said, aimed to determine the extent of alcohol abuse among underage consumers and retailers nationwide. About 1,788 respondents were sampled across the six geopolitical zones.
Describing the findings as disturbing, Adeyeye said 54.3 per cent of minors and underage individuals obtained alcohol by themselves from various sources, while 49.9 per cent patronised retailers selling sachets and PET bottles.
She revealed that about 50 per cent of children consume alcohol. The data showed that 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underage persons who purchased alcohol themselves opted for sachets because they are easy to conceal.
She stressed that concealability was a major factor driving youth consumption, noting that “whether you are a good parent or a bad parent, it doesn’t really matter,” because the packaging makes it easy for children to hide alcohol.
The survey also indicated that 63.2 per cent of minors and 54 per cent of underage persons drink alcohol occasionally, compared to 44.3 per cent and 38.3 per cent of adults who consume alcohol occasionally and daily, respectively.
Additionally, 9.3 per cent of minors and 25.2 per cent of underage children consume alcoholic beverages, while 11.3 per cent of minors and 9.4 per cent of underage individuals take alcohol at least once a week. The study found that children as young as nine years old consume alcohol.
Adeyeye noted that most minors purchase alcohol themselves, with sachets selling for about N50. She warned that while some individuals may profit from the trade, many children are jeopardising their futures, with potential health consequences including liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and mental instability.
On patterns of abuse, the findings showed that about 11.7 per cent of underage children had engaged in binge drinking, with the highest incidence reported in Gombe. In terms of overall alcohol consumption, Lagos and Rivers states recorded the highest usage.
Adeyeye emphasised that NAFDAC’s actions were guided by its statutory responsibility to protect public health, particularly that of children.
