Lagos: Participants at a Conference on Alcohol Harm Prevention have called for the establishment of strong policy regulation on alcohol to foster effective control over its use, marketing, and availability in the country. They spoke at the 1st National Conference and fifth Annual General Meeting of the Association of Advocates Against Alcohol Harm in Nigeria (ASAAHN) held in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Strengthening Alcohol Policy Advocacy and Harm Prevention and Reduction for a Healthier Nigeria’, highlighted the urgent need for a national alcohol policy. Professor Oluranti Samuel from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Lagos State University expressed concerns over the widespread access to alcohol across Nigeria, emphasizing a multifaceted approach involving policymakers, government, parents, and communities to regulate alcohol use effectively. He urged regulatory bodies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to collaborate with other organizations for better monitoring and enforcement.
Samuel warned about the detrimental effects of alcohol on the nation’s future, health, and economy, arguing that uncontrolled access to alcohol could negatively impact human capital. He stressed the importance of an alcohol policy to prevent future harm, suggesting that such regulations would not hinder employment but instead enhance human capital and reduce healthcare costs associated with alcohol-related diseases like cancer and liver problems.
Mr. Eze Eluchie, President of the West Africa Network of Civil Society Organisations on Substance Abuse, advocated for increased taxation on alcoholic beverages as a deterrent. He argued that higher prices would discourage consumption.
Mrs. Aderonke Oyelakin, Lagos State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, called on parents to instill proper morals and values in their children, enabling them to resist peer pressure and the influence of alcohol.
Earlier, ASAAHN National Chairman, Nwokocha Chijioke, stressed the importance of prevention over treatment in the context of alcohol use, especially as the alcohol industry increasingly targets teenagers. He emphasized the need for parents, communities, and policymakers to protect children and youths from the harmful effects of alcohol. Chijioke also highlighted alcohol’s role in domestic violence, road accidents, emotional trauma, and family instability, stating that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment.