Reps to NAFDAC: Extend Ban On Sachet Alcoholic Drinks

This was announced by Hon. Phillip Agbese, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, during a press briefing at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Hon. Agbese provided an update on a meeting held with NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye.

He stated that both parties agreed the timing of the ban was inappropriate given the current economic challenges.

The initial five-year ban had been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a review of the prohibition policy.

Addressing health concerns, Hon. Agbese noted that while warnings about the dangers of smoking are clear on cigarette packages, people still choose to smoke.

He argued that adults should have the right to decide what they consume, including sachet alcoholic drinks, and called it hypocritical to single out these drinks when similar products in bottles are available.

He highlighted that the ban has been perceived as discriminatory, particularly by low-income earners, and raised issues of fundamental human rights.

He argued that other substances, such as cough syrups containing codeine, are still available despite their misuse by children from affluent backgrounds.

Regarding job losses, Hon. Agbese pointed out that the private sector, which includes manufacturers of these products, employs more people than the government.

He emphasized the socio-economic significance of the industry, which plays a role in various aspects of daily life.

He appealed to NAFDAC to reconsider the ban, noting that democracy allows people to make their own choices, even if those choices might be harmful.

He also suggested that NAFDAC should focus on educating the public rather than imposing blanket bans, and emphasized that parental responsibility plays a crucial role in preventing underage drinking.

He said,  “The issue of health implications, as a matter of fact we are all Nigerians if you pick a packet of cigarettes, you see on it cigarette is dangerous to our health.

In diverse languages they expressed this thing but people still buy cigarette to smoke. You see it is within, people’s fundamental human rights to decide what they consume, especially for adults who can make their own decision.

“The health implications of consuming the sachet drinks when people consume the same content in bottles, I think to be very mild, is highly hypocritical.

“Following the presentations we received at the carousel of the hearing, a certain segment of the country, the lower population those who earn lower income who made their presentations even raised the issue of fundamental human rights, discrimination, harassment and victimisation.”

Hon. Agbese said, “We believe strong from the presentations made before us, the leadership of NAFDAC now we are on the same page.

So, we are not to be going back and forth on that.

They have agreed they are talking about health implications again, the health implication is not a reason why that ban was placed.

“Talking about children consuming sachet drinks, and if you look at it, what about Benylin, Codeine and other cough syrup being consumed by the children of the rich? They are still sold at the pharmacies and stores.

Nobody has placed a ban on them. We are here as the representative of the people to protect the interest of the masses and I think as a matter of fact, it was one policy of government that was targeted at a point.”

In conclusion, Hon. Agbese called for a five-year extension to allow manufacturers to adjust and for the economy to recover, reinforcing the need for a balanced approach that respects individual rights and addresses economic realities.