It has been cautioned by medical experts that lifting the ban on alcoholic beverages could result in severe health issues such as heightened road traffic accidents, increased alcohol abuse, liver and heart complications, as well as elevated cancer risks, among other concerns.
These warnings come in response to the recent decisions made by the House of Representatives and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the potential removal of restrictions on the sale and consumption of certain alcoholic products in the country.
Deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, stated that the ban would only be lifted once the economy has sufficiently recovered from its current challenges.
On February 1, 2024, NAFDAC began enforcing the ban on the importation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and usage of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and smaller.
Professor Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, explained that the decision was based on a recommendation by a committee comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry stakeholders like the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, made in December 2018.
Despite this, the enforcement of the ban has led to protests from distillers and labor unions, who argue that it could eliminate 500,000 jobs and disrupt investments totaling N800 billion.
Discussing the potential repercussions of lifting the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks, Professor Tanimola Akande, a Public Health expert at the University of Ilorin, expressed concerns over the move, citing increased risks of alcohol-related issues.
According to Akande, “Sachet alcohol beverages containing high concentrations of ethanol can lead to alcohol poisoning. Some may also be contaminated with toxic substances like methanol, making them easily accessible to adults and even minors due to their affordability.”
He further highlighted that unregulated processing and sales of these beverages pose significant public health risks, potentially contributing to liver diseases, cardiovascular problems, acute alcohol-related incidents leading to accidents, and criminal activities.
Dr. Oluwajimi Sodium, a family medicine specialist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the importance of educating manufacturers, the public, and stakeholders on the necessity of maintaining the ban.
He pointed out that lifting the ban could exacerbate health risks, especially affecting vulnerable groups and children.
President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for increased health complications if the ban is lifted.