Following Health Concerns, Popular Form of Alcohol Now Banned in This Country
In this photo taken on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, a man pours alcohol into a glass from a plastic sachet in the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Alongside miniature plastic and glass bottles, this popular form of alcohol now faces a ban across Nigeria following growing concerns over its negative impact on people’s health. (Photo: AP Photo/Diomande Ble Blonde)
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken robust measures to implement the prohibition on the importation, production, distribution, sale and utilization of “sachet gin,” ABN TV reported Monday. Also included in the ban are PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and glass bottles with a volume of 200 ml or less.
Popular in some regions of Africa, “sachet gin” or “sachet alcohol” refers to a cheap, compact plastic pouch containing a pre-measured quantity of liquor. Typically crafted with convenience and portability in mind, single-serve forms of alcohol have become a focal point of concern over their reported negative impact on health.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, announced during a press conference in Abuja that these forms of alcohol harm certain demographics, particularly minors, commercial vehicle drivers and riders.
“The World Health Organisation has established that children who drink alcohol are more likely to use drugs, get bad grades, suffer injury or death, engage in risky sexual activity, make bad decisions, and have health problems,” Adeyeye continued, according to ABN TV.
“It is also associated with social problems, such as alcohol addiction and gender-based violence.”
“To curb the menace of abuse of alcohol, WHO recommended some actions and strategies to policymakers that have shown to be effective and cost-effective, which includes regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, and regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol,” she added.
As of Jan. 31, no alcoholic beverage falling within the specified categories is registered with NAFDAC. Adeyeye stated that enforcement actions have been initiated nationwide starting on Feb. 1, following the conclusion of the stipulated window period for manufacturers to sell off existing stock.
It has also come to light during these enforcement activities that certain manufacturers are persisting in producing these banned products and maintaining stockpiles of finished goods and packaging materials. NAFDAC has deemed this a clear violation of Nigerian laws, signaling a stern stance on non-compliance.
Adeyeye further urged those in possession of the prohibited forms of alcohol and related packaging to report to NAFDAC for proper disposal to avoid legal consequences.
“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol,” Adeyeye said, per the report.
Beyond health concerns, smaller formats of alcohol have also faced criticism over their environmental impact, as they’re often not large enough to be captured by recycling sorting equipment. In March 2023, the Boston City Council proposed a ban on the miniature alcohol bottles known as “nips” throughout the U.S. The ban would prohibit the sale of any alcohol bottles under or equal to 100 ml, as well as the sale of single containers of beer.
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