Civil Society Groups Support NAFDAC, Reject Job Loss Fears Linked to Sachet Alcohol

The Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have voiced their support for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over its decision to ban the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles of 200ml and below, effective December 2025.

In a joint statement on Sunday, the organisations described the ban as a long-overdue public health intervention crucial for protecting children, youths, and other vulnerable groups.

According to NAFDAC, the measure aims to curb the growing misuse of cheap alcoholic drinks among youths and drivers, which has been linked to domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices.

While the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) warned that the ban could lead to the loss of up to five million jobs and negatively affect investment, NHED and CAPPA dismissed these claims as exaggerated and prioritising profit over public health.

“We reject in its entirety the claims by MAN that the ban will trigger a loss of over N1.9tn in investment and lead to the retrenchment of over 500,000 workers. These figures are inflated, unverifiable, and a familiar scare tactic used by alcohol and tobacco corporations globally whenever governments regulate harmful products,” the statement read.

The organisations highlighted that sachet alcohol production is largely mechanised and requires minimal human labour. They criticised manufacturers for continuing production despite a multi-year phase-out period ending in December 2025 and accused the industry of using economic misinformation to undermine evidence-based public health policies.

NHED’s Technical Director, Dr Jerome Mafeni, emphasised the urgency of prioritising lives over profits. “The long-term social and economic costs of alcohol-related harm—violence, reduced productivity, rising healthcare costs, and addiction—far outweigh any short-term gains manufacturers seek to protect. It is unacceptable that children can purchase high-concentration alcoholic products for as little as N100,” he said.

CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, noted that NAFDAC’s action aligns with global best practices. “No responsible public health agency would permit continued marketing of products designed to encourage unrestricted, on-the-go, and underage drinking. We commend NAFDAC for resisting corporate pressure and urge other government agencies to support seamless implementation of the ban,” he said.

Both organisations called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other authorities not to yield to corporate influence or delay the life-saving policy. They also urged the introduction of complementary alcohol control measures, including taxation, stricter marketing regulations, clear labelling, and nationwide awareness campaigns.

“NAFDAC’s ban is the right policy at the right time. NHED and CAPPA stand resolutely with the agency and with all Nigerians committed to a healthier, safer, and more responsible society,” the statement added.