BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – Determined to enforce the ban placed on the production, sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small pet bottles below 200 milliliters in Nigeria, the Federal Government has flagged-off a joint Nationwide campaign to ensure strict compliance.
The ban is aimed at controlling access to alcohol by minors and underage persons in our societies, a work towards improving mental health and peaceful coexistence
Speaking at the flag-off at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) headquarters in Abuja, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye said access to alcohol by children would be limited when small pack sizes that can be easily concealed are unavailable.
Prof. Adeyeye, who said the ban would reduce the menace of underage drinking and abuse which had become a growing public health concern in the country, urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and the communities at large to raise an alarm and be actively involved in the campaign to curb the menace of alcohol consumption among children.
Noting that abusive alcohol consumption constitute the major cause of liver and kidney damage, the NAFDAC boss lamented that it also disrupts hormone growth, causes addiction and mental health issues amongst children.
She further described Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as the major cause of youth suicides, homicides and motor vehicle accidents, warning that this medical condition plays a key role in academic problems that leads to impaired cognitive function and lower grades.
Additionally, Prof Adeyeye explained that the problematic pattern of alcohol use, which normally leads to clinically significant impairment or distress, is strongly linked to unprotected sexual activities that result in unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
In his remarks, Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said government has both constitutional and moral obligation to act before harm becomes entrenched, stressing that the joint nationwide campaign is not about restrictions but protecting, and safeguarding our children, and the vulnerable population while also strengthening the fabric of our society.
He assured that the NOA would use the 818 offices nationwide and its operational structures across all 774 local government areas to ensure the campaign reaches every community in Nigeria.
According to him, “Our state directorates, zonal and local government offices, as well as our Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers will take this campaign directly to rural communities, youth groups, transport unions, market associations, artisans, schools and faith based institutions.”
He said, “The engagements will take place in town halls, markets, motor parks and community centers”, adding: “The message will be delivered in languages that resonate with the people.”
