NOA Leads Nationwide Campaign to Enforce Ban on Sachet and Small-Pack Alcohol
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide campaign to enforce the Federal Government’s ban on sachet alcoholic drinks and alcohol packaged in PET or glass bottles below 200 millilitres, aiming to protect children and vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
Speaking at the flag-off on March 3, 2026, at NOA Headquarters, Lanre Issa-Onilu described the ban, effective January 1, 2026, as a carefully planned public health intervention. He noted that the government had spent eight years engaging manufacturers and stakeholders to adjust practices deemed harmful to national well-being.
“The issue goes beyond regulation and touches on national responsibility,” Issa-Onilu said, urging media participation in developmental journalism to support enforcement. “When people openly violate lawful regulations and demonstrate against a policy meant to protect public health, they are demonstrating against the Nigerian people — against you in the media, against your children and our children.”
Furthermore, he stated that the agency will deploy its 818 offices across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas to strengthen grassroots mobilization as community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers will engage youth groups, market associations, transport unions, schools, faith-based institutions, and community leaders through town hall meetings, market outreaches, and multilingual advocacy campaigns while leveraging traditional and digital media platforms, including the CLHEEAN App, to encourage citizen reporting and bolster enforcement support.
Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, highlighted a 2021 national survey showing that 54.3% of minors and underaged persons purchase alcohol themselves, with nearly half accessing it through sachets and small PET bottles. The survey also revealed significant levels of daily and weekly consumption among underage individuals, reinforcing concerns over early exposure and potential long-term dependency.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) reaffirmed its commitment to protect citizens from harmful market practices, while NOA leads public sensitization and behavioral change efforts. The initiative aligns with recent legislative resolutions calling for strict enforcement of the ban and intensified public awareness of the dangers of underage alcohol consumption, as the campaign underscores a coordinated approach between NOA, NAFDAC, and FCCPC to safeguard young Nigerians, promote responsible consumption, and strengthen the social fabric nationwide.
Comments
This post currently has no comments.