Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan, Director of Research and Innovation, Nigerian Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT,) has commended the Federal Government’s ban on the production and distribution of sachet alcohol.

Lasebikan, a radiation and clinical oncologist, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sidelines of the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The conference was organised by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN).

NAN recalls that the Federal Government had announced the ban on Tuesday, through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The ban is on the production, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and bottles below 200 ml

The full enforcement of the ban will begin on Jan. 1, 2026.

Speaking with NAN, Lasebikan described the move as a step in the right direction, noting that the ban will help to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in the country

She explained that alcohol is a major risk factor for NCDs which included cancer, adding that unrestricted access to sachet alcohol had increased the intake among youths and even underage children.

“It is a fantastic development; the sale of alcohol was becoming very unregulated as minors that have no business accessing alcohol have it readily available within their reach.

“The ban is a step in the right direction, and it will also go a long way in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.

“Alcohol is a strong risk factor for NCDs of which cancer is one of them,” she said.

The health expert urged government to look into “sin tax” on alcohol, tobacco and other products to discourage consumption of the harmful products.

NAN reports that sin tax is an excise tax specifically levied on goods deemed harmful to society and individuals.

These products include: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, candy, soft drinks, fast foods, coffee, sugar, gambling, cannabis among others.