Senate asks NAFDAC to phase out sachet alcohol by December

The senate has asked the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) not to extend the deadline for phasing out alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets beyond December 2025.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River south, during plenary on Wednesday. Anthony Ani, the Ebonyi south senator, seconded the motion.

Ekpenyong said the products are easily accessible, affordable and widely consumed by children, adolescents, commercial drivers and other vulnerable groups.

He said in 2018, the federal ministry of health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), NAFDAC and industry associations, signed a five-year memorandum of understanding committing to a gradual phase-out of sachet alcoholic drinks due to public health concerns.

He added that although an additional one-year moratorium was granted in 2024 to enable manufacturers to adjust production lines, some industry players were lobbying for another extension.

He said the continued circulation of sachet alcohol undermines regulatory authority, adding that excessive exposure among young people contributes to addiction, impaired cognitive development, road accidents, domestic violence and other social problems.

He cited section 17(3)(f) of the constitution, which mandates the state to protect children and young persons from exploitation and neglect.

The senate resolved to direct NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies to strictly enforce the ban by December 2025.

Lawmakers also mandated the federal ministry of health to ensure that the enforcement is not hindered.

The senate urged the ministry to expedite the release of a national alcohol policy to guide enforcement and sensitisation.

The red chamber called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify public awareness campaigns, particularly among school-aged children.

Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi west, raised a point of order, arguing that the motion was not urgent.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the health risks involved make the matter of urgent national importance.

“It is urgent; I think it is urgent enough. Thank you for bringing this to the fore, particularly because of the dangers involved in this,” Akpabio said.

“And the fact that it is very easy for young school children to be moving around with sachets in their hands, and you will not know that what they are taking is high alcoholic beverages and all that.

“I do hope that now that the senate has spoken, NAFDAC and other agencies will see the need to stop further extension of dates to stop this harmful practice.

”We are saying that by December 2025, this practice should end and there should not be further extension.”