www.africa.com; 21 August 2024
Nigeria has a high rate of heavy drinking among young people, with one study revealing that 55.8% of teenagers aged 15-19 engaged in binge drinking in the past month. The situation is likely linked to the unrestricted marketing tactics of alcohol brands in the country. The World Health Organization recommends that countries limit alcohol advertising and reduce its availability to prevent heavy consumption. However, that is not the case in Nigeria, which only has a few regulations guiding the industry. Alcohol brands in the country engage in reckless marketing, often linking their products to sexual enhancement. Some of these marketing include slogans that endorse male domination and violence. Additionally, public drinking games further normalize excessive consumption. Without effective policies to rein in these unbridled advertising tactics, these practices will persist and continue posing significant public health risks, especially to young Nigerians.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION