Mbouda: sachet whiskey consumers say it is wrong to ban sales
The production and marketing of whiskey sachets below 50 milliliters is henceforth prohibited in Cameroon and defaulters expose themselves to legal actions.
The decision taken by the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, is contained in a release made public on April 11, 2023.
In 2014, Cameroon’s Ministers of public health, of trade and of mines, industry and technological development, jointly signed a release banning the sales of whiskey in sachets. Traders had 24 months to comply with the decision by exhausting their stock.
9 years after the decision, whiskey continues to circulate in sachets and consumed by many Cameroonians, most of whom are from vulnerable backgrounds.
“I consume sachets because I lack financial means to get myself a bottle of bière. So with 100 FCFA I can satisfy myself,” declares a faithful consumer.
“My son consumes this because of bad friends,” says a mother. “I have told him many times to avoid that. I give him everything and after listening, he still goes in for whiskey in sachets knowing well the health effects,” she adds.
health expersts say the consumption of sachet whiskeys can lead to cancers.The consumption of alcohol in sachet can also have serious repercussions for the functioning of the entire nervous system, particularly the brain and can result in neurological disorders like vitamin deficiency and liver disease according to Dr Fotso Chimi Serge, Gastroenterologist.
These health risks are well known by most of these consumers but they choose to continue consuming the hazardous product.
“I know it’s dangerous to my health, even bierre is dangerous to those who drink like cigarettes dangerous to smokers and sex is also dangerous but we all like it. This ban is just a way of frustrating us,” declares a consumer in Mbouda.
They say that the ban is frustrating because they will not find bottled drinks at such affordable prices. Traders on their part complain that the decision was too sudden.
“Why can’t he let us finish the stock we have?” questions a trader in Mbouda. “The Government is always there to surprise us,” he adds.
The decision taken by the interim minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry took effect on April 11 but repression has not yet began.
