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MAN seeks reversal of ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, pet bottles

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday called on the Federal Government to immediately reverse the enforcement of the ban on the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and less than 200 milliliter (ml) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.

Recall that the Federal Government had on Monday, February 5, 2024, imposed a ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml. This was to curb the segmentation or packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles said to be responsible for the reported increase of alcohol use among the underage.

But the ban did not go down well with MAN, which expressed concern that it will be counterproductive and inimical to the economy. It, therefore, insisted that the ban be reversed immediately and replaced with regulations and access control.

MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement, said the apparent preoccupation of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban the production of drinks in sachets and PET bottles is at variance with the right of private entrepreneurs to invest and engage in legitimate business.

He also said the ban will amount to a deliberate destruction of the business of local and indigenous investors who, through thick and thin, have kept faith with the economy.

“They (local and indigenous investors) have continued to invest and reinvest at enormous cost in the economy and in the Nigerian people who are the bulk of their nearly 500, 000 workforce,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

This, he also said, is in spite of the challenges that businesses have faced in the difficult times, which “if we must emphasize, has led to several companies closing down and foreign investors leaving the country.

“We are convinced that this present administration‘s Renewed Hope Agenda will not be best served with this ban,” Ajayi-Kadir stated, insisting that “If the administration is committed to encouraging and strengthening local investors, then this ban should give way to access control.”

The MAN DG said it is important to know that the industries particularly those who are key members of Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) have invested hundreds of billions of naira not only in the business, but overtime in packaging and distribution,

“Most of the huge investments are backed by enormous indebtedness to both foreign and local financial institutions,” Ajayi-Kadir said, adding that prior to the investment made by the companies in the packaging, distribution, logistics and advertisement of their products, the necessary approvals were obtained thus prompting them to make the said investments.

The MAN boss, while pointing out that this is what the ban is going to wreck for no justifiable reason, said it must be explicitly stated that moderation and responsible drinking promote good health.

He said: “Small is good, if you buy small you will consume small. If you buy big you will consume big, this is not healthy. Bigger sizes encourage consumption of bigger portions, while small sizes encourage portion control.

 “If you take away small sizes, you are encouraging excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. To go ahead with the policy based on perceived danger, without empirical information and not minding the consequences is unfair to the industry operators, the thousands of workers that will lose their jobs and inimical to Nigerian economy.”

In line with MAN’s argument in favour of access control instead of outright ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml, Ajayi-Kadir said suspected underage persons (under 18) should be required to show Identity Card (ID) to purchase alcoholic beverages as practiced in some other climes,

He also urged government to tighten enforcement while NAFDAC, Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and others increase monitoring and compliance checks to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety.

Ajayi-Kadir however recalled that for instance, that when NAFDAC first proposed the ban, critical stakeholders including key members of DIBAN raised concerns in a letter dated 6/11/2018, which noted that the assertion that the segmentation or packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles is responsible for the reported increase of alcohol use among the underage is unfounded.

DIBAN, in the letter, was of the view that it was a reflection of a systemic problem of much wider in ramifications; that attributing the alleged increase in the use of hard drugs to the production and sales of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small PET bottles is incorrect; and that no scientific or other studies have proven this claim.

The MAN DG also said based on the letter, the packaging and sales of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles has not been shown to be the reason for irresponsible use in terms of quantity, intoxication and other menaces.

He also said DIBAN and other critical industry stakeholders raised the concern that this ban will certainly lead to black market or bootlegging, influx and proliferation of fake and adulterated products. Besides, it will also damage local manufacturing and negatively affect the economy, as well as the social wellbeing of Nigerians.