The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the federal government to impose a complete ban on sachet alcohol, citing serious public health concerns.
Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, ACPN National Chairman, made the appeal in a statement released to DAILY POST on Monday. He criticised what he described as the government’s recent move to reverse restrictions on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small containers under 200ml.
Ezeh emphasised that the original directive issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was grounded in scientific evidence and aimed at reducing harm, particularly among children and young people. He warned that rolling back the ban would undermine efforts to protect vulnerable populations and public health more broadly.
“The prohibition of sachet alcohol should not be treated as a symbolic regulatory exercise,” Ezeh said. “It is a critical public health measure designed to reduce harm, prevent underage consumption, and safeguard communities.”
ACPN’s position highlights ongoing concerns about the accessibility of cheap, high-strength alcohol in sachet form, which health experts have long linked to addiction, accidents, and other social and medical problems. The association urged the government to prioritise the health of citizens over commercial interests.
