Photograph — nutrifusion.com

In a bid to tackle irresponsible and underage drinking in Nigeria, Wines and Spirit producers under the auspices of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria have begun a six-month campaign.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the chairman of the association, Chief Patrick Anegbe. Speaking with journalists and other stakeholders in Lagos, Anegbe said there was a need to address these issues even if it would affect the bottom line of the members.

“Underage and irresponsible drinking are issues of concern to the association,” Anegbe said, adding that the association’s “deep value for corporate social responsibility necessitated that we should respond with a strong advocacy platform to drive responsible drinking and zero-alcohol consumption for minors and the underaged.”

The N170 million campaign, which is in four stages, has moved to its second phase, a continuation of the consumer education programme. The advocacy is planned to be multi-pronged, covering radio, bus branding, billboards, social media and television commercials, among others.

The plan is to focus on the wider audience. Commercial buses plying Lagos roads, Abuja and interstate routes, would be branded. The pan-Nigeria campaign would also touch Kano, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, and Aba.

“Our concern is that anyone below the age of 18 years must not drink alcohol and even the adults who want to drink must drink responsibly,” Anegbe said. He continued, “We are socially responsible and that is why we are saying underaged persons must be protected, even if our bottom line is affected.”

The initiative has been backed by Nigeria’s drug agency. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye expressed her gratitude to the association, saying the advocacy campaign would help in promoting responsible drinking, kicking against underage drinking. 

However, asides public and consumer education, the association should develop other effective programs to prevent alcohol use among young adolescents. Stakeholder engagement, advertising regulation and sensitization campaigns in schools and places of worship are some of the other measures that can be adapted to engage children and their parents on the dangers of early consumption of alcohol.

Family involvement is a key factor to be considered in addressing underage drinking. Factors such as parent-child relationships, method of discipline, communication, monitoring and supervision can significantly influence alcohol use among youth. Reviews of family skills training indicate that improved parenting skill is important for the prevention of alcohol use.

By Ahmed Iyanda

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