Reps advance bill to tigthen alcohol regulation

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to strengthen alcohol control and curb alcohol abuse in Nigeria through stricter regulation of the production, marketing, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Control, Regulation and Reduction of Alcohol-Related Harm in Nigeria,” seeks to establish a national framework for the regulation and control of alcohol consumption in Nigeria.

It was sponsored by Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse.

The bill seeks to regulate the production, importation, distribution, advertising and consumption of alcohol products, while introducing measures aimed at protecting minors and other vulnerable groups from alcohol-related harm.

If passed into law, the bill would establish a national alcohol control framework, tighten regulations on alcohol advertising and access, particularly for underage persons, and promote public awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with alcohol abuse.

Leading the debate on the bill during plenary on Thursday, Adelegbe said the proposed legislation was designed to provide a modern and evidence-based framework for alcohol regulation in Nigeria rather than impose a ban on alcohol consumption.

According to him, the legislation would strengthen accountability within the alcohol industry while promoting public health and reducing the social and economic consequences associated with alcohol abuse.

“This Bill is not about prohibition; it is about protection, responsibility, and national development. Nigeria must adopt a modern, evidence-based framework that safeguards our youth while ensuring accountability within the alcohol industry,” he said.

The lawmaker noted that the bill was developed after consultations with government institutions, health experts, civil society groups, alcohol manufacturers and distributors.

He added that the drafting process also received technical support from A New Thing International Foundation, led by Ambassador Kenneth Anetor, who serves as Lead Consultant to the House Committee on Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse.

Quoting Anetor, Adelegbe said the legislation marked a transition from reactive responses to preventive systems aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm while allowing responsible participation by industry operators.

Adelegbe urged stakeholders in the alcohol industry to participate actively in the legislative process through committee engagements and public hearings to ensure balanced and sustainable regulation.

He also called on development partners, non-governmental organisations and international institutions to support the initiative, describing the bill as a major step in Nigeria’s public health reform efforts.

The bill was subsequently referred to the relevant House committee for further legislative consideration.