By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
The Nigerian Senate has urged NAFDAC to uphold the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachet formats, citing concerns over public health and youth safety. The motion, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, notes that the phased ban was announced in line with global regulatory standards and international best practices.
Key points include, excessive youth exposure to cheap, high-alcohol-content products contributes to addiction, impaired cognitive development, and social vices, NAFDAC’s enabling statute empowers it to enforce the ban, and delays undermine its authority, Non-compliant manufacturers create a distorted market environment, disincentivizing responsible industry behavior, and the government is mandated to protect children, young persons, and the aged from exploitation and moral neglect.
The Senate resolves to: Mandate NAFDAC to enforce the ban from December 2025; direct the Federal Ministry of Health to support NAFDAC’s enforcement; expedite the National Alcohol Policy and; intensify nationwide sensitization campaigns on the dangers of high-alcohol-content beverages.
