Rivers, Lagos Top States for Sachet Alcohol Consumption Among Minors

A recent nationwide survey conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has highlighted significant trends in the consumption of alcoholic beverages among minors and underage individuals in Nigeria.

The findings indicate that Rivers and Lagos States exhibit the highest levels of consumption of alcoholic drinks sold in sachets and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.

The study, which was carried out in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and executed by Research and Data Solutions Ltd., Abuja, included a sample of 1,788 respondents across six different states from June to August 2021.

NAFDAC’s report focused on the accessibility of alcohol and the drinking frequency among three distinct age groups: minors (under 13 years), underaged individuals (ages 13 to 17), and adults (18 years and older).

Presenting the findings of the survey on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said alcohol remains “one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths” and noted that “the availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors.”

“54.3 per cent of minors and underage respondents obtained alcohol by themselves. Nearly half (49.9 per cent) purchased drinks in sachets or PET bottles, with Rivers State recording the highest rates — 68.0 per cent for sachets and 64.5 per cent for PET bottles. Lagos followed with 52.3 per cent and 47.7 per cent, respectively, while Kaduna recorded 38.6 per cent sachet and 28.4 per cent PET bottle consumption.

“The proportion of drinks procured in sachets was higher among males (51.4 per cent) compared to females (41.5 per cent), and more in rural (50.1 per cent) compared to urban (45.3 per cent) locations,” the report stated.

The report also revealed that minors and underaged respondents also accessed alcohol from friends and relatives (49.9 per cent), social gatherings (45.9 per cent), and parents’ homes (21.7 per cent).

It said that among those who bought alcohol themselves, 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underaged respondents procured drinks in sachets, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of the underaged bought PET bottles.

On consumption frequency, 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of underaged persons were occasional drinkers, but 9.3 per cent of minors and 25.2 per cent of underaged respondents reported drinking daily.

The report urged stricter regulation, noting that “access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available.”

It added, “A ban on small pack sizes, including sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres, can reduce the menace of underage drinking.”

The report further appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders, and the community to act, saying, “Consumption of alcohol by children should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the community at large.”

The report stated that the survey underscores the need for policy interventions and public awareness campaigns to curb underage drinking in Nigeria’s urban and rural communities.