Nigeria Reverses Sachet Alcohol Ban

The Nigeria has reversed its ban on the production and retail distribution of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume containers below 200ml. This decision, issued by the Office of the Nigeria===Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Office of the Nigeria===National security advisor citing security concerns, has been met with strong condemnation from the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN). The ACPN, led by Ambrose Ezeh, described the reversal as a troubling setback for public health, emphasizing that the original ban, initiated by the Nigeria===National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in collaboration with the Nigeria===Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria===Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), was rooted in evidence-based harm reduction and child protection principles. The ban was initially agreed upon in 2018 with industry operators, with a phase-out deadline extended to December 2025. Critics argue that sachet alcohol contributes significantly to alcohol misuse, underage drinking, and related deaths, and that the government's decision prioritizes commercial profitability over public health and child welfare.