NACADA Raises Age Limit for Alcohol Consumption from 18 to 21 Years in New Proposal

• The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) came up with proposed policies that will be used to control alcohol consumption
• The new rules are aimed at putting an end to the 18-year alcohol age limit and introducing a new age limit of 21 years
• In a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, NACADA highlighted the reason behind the proposal of the new age limit

Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has proposed a new policy to regulate alcohol consumption in the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 30, the authority proposed raising the age limit of alcohol consumption from 18 to 21 years of age.

This could officially mark the end of the 18-year age limit that has been in existence for years if the proposal is approved.

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Why does NACADA want to increase alcohol age limit to 21?

According to NACADA, the new policy is a method that will be used to prevent initiation and induction of alcohol, drugs and substances.

At the same time, the authority has stated that no person under the age of 21 will be allowed to access any alcohol selling premises, whether in the company of an adult or not.

"The objective is to promote a healthy and empowered community by preventing the initiation and reducing the use of alcohol, drugs and substances of abuse and mitigating their associated harms," the NACADA statement read in part.

The new policies are also set to keep children, youth and the public from excessive consumption of brews.

During the unveiling of the proposed policy, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the National Police Service has been empowered to get rid of the consumption of illicit brew.

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NACADA bans sale of alcohol in supermarkets, online, bus parks, beaches and 10 other areas

NACADA proposes ban of alcohol sales in 14 areas

To achieve the objective of lowering the alcohol consumption in the country, the board has proposed to ban the sale of alcohol in 14 areas.

They include:

Beaches that belong to the public, parks and recreational centres, in vending machines, hospitals and sports centres, bus and railway stations, public means of transport, including matatus, ferry stations.

Supermarkets, marketplaces selling products associated with children, home deliveries and couriers, residential areas, restaurants, and learning institutions.

In addition, retail shops that sell alcoholic drinks should be located 300 metres away from learning institutions and schools.

Has NACADA proposed ban on online alcohol sales

NACAD has also proposed a ban on the sale of alcohol on social media platforms. The proposed policy seeks to outlaw free samples, giving of discounts, flat-rate offers and selling of alcohol in large volumes, which occur mostly in bars, supermarkets online shops.

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Public figures like popular musicians, athletes, socialites and media personalities will also be prohibited from promoting alcohol consumption.

This is due to the policy that strictly states that those promoting alcoholic substances should not be under the age of 25 years old. There shall also not be any lifestyle advertising.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke