‘Drink Responsibly’, Die Irresponsibly? The Menace of Inadequate Government Policies to Regulate Alcohol Misuse in Nigeria

Alcohol consumption is a common practice in both rural and urban societies in Nigeria. An estimate of about two billion people worldwide consumes alcohol with one-third of these consumers likely to suffer alcohol-related disorder. In 2000, alcohol-related ailments, accidents, violence and suicide led to 1.8 million deaths worldwide while in 2002, it was estimated to have caused 2.3 million premature deaths. In sub-Sahara Africa, Nigeria is one of the most affected by alcohol-related deaths and morbidities due in part, to lack of comprehensive government policies and unrestricted marketing and promotions that have normalised alcohol misuse and encouraged new norms of alcohol consumption among youths. Annually, Nigeria loses many lives through road traffic accidents, and one of the causal factors is alcohol misuse. In light of the above, the paper theoretically explores the changing pattern of alcohol consumption in Nigeria with its attendant consequences, reveals the huge problems posed by alcohol misuse due to non-intensive warning message and unrestricted advertising. It concludes that urgent anti-alcohol misuse policy and campaign that will deter the rising misuse should commence with effective information dissemination through the design of posters and warning labels that have source, intensity and appear on all alcohol beverages.