The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye, reaffirmed that the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages remains in effect during a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday .
The ban, enforced since February 1, 2024, prohibits the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
She highlighted, “The ban on sachet alcohol is a ministerial directive and the ban still remains until the ministers respond. The meeting last week Thursday is a continuation of the discussion.
“The outcome of the meeting is that the ministers should write a memo to the Speaker (of Reps) and the House (of Reps), and the Representative of the Speaker, Prof Jake Dan–Azumi then said we should continue the discussion after the recess of the House members in July. So, the discussion continues.
The House of Representatives’ deputy spokesman, Philip Agbese, announced last Friday that the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages in Nigeria will be lifted temporarily. This decision was reached after a meeting between House Committee members and NAFDAC officials. The ban will only be lifted once the economy has fully recovered from its current challenges.
NAFDAC started enforcing the ban on February 1, 2024, prohibiting the importation, production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and smaller sizes. The ban was based on the recommendations of a committee made up of various government agencies and industry representatives in December 2018.
The ban enforcement has faced opposition from distillers and labor unions, who argue that it will result in the loss of 500,000 jobs and harm investments worth N800 billion.
On the other hand, medical experts have warned that lifting the ban could lead to serious health issues such as increased road accidents, higher likelihood of alcohol abuse, liver and heart problems, and cancer.
