Kenya Targets Alcohol Ads
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is urging the government to put a stop to the online sale of alcohol, as well as to ban discount promotions and the involvement of social media influencers, celebrities, and sports figures in alcohol advertising.
This initiative is part of a broader set of measures introduced in a national policy aimed at tackling alcohol, drug, and substance abuse, which was unveiled on Wednesday by the Ministry of Interior. The focus is on curbing aggressive marketing tactics that NACADA believes contribute to the normalization of alcohol consumption.
The suggested regulations would prohibit price promotions like discounts, free samples, flat-rate deals, and bulk sales, which are often seen in bars, supermarkets, and online shops.
The policy aims to ban public figures—like musicians, actors, athletes, social media influencers, and media personalities—from endorsing or promoting alcohol.
“Any person used in advertising or endorsing alcoholic drinks shall be above 25 years, and further, there shall be no lifestyle advertising through any form of advertisement or promotion,” the proposal adds.
At the same time, the new policy puts a stop to alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and marketing aimed at anyone under 21, as well as events related to youth, including those taking place in schools, universities, and during sports, arts, or entertainment competitions.
Outdoor ads will face fresh regulations regarding their content and placement, with restrictions on advertising within 300 meters of educational institutions, in residential neighborhoods, near hospitals, and on government-owned properties.
All types of alcohol marketing will be banned in schools and educational environments.
Additionally, the policy prohibits advertising on audio-visual platforms during watershed hours (from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), which includes foreign broadcasts and online ads altogether.
If this policy is approved, promotions for alcohol that involve free samples, discounts, or prize-based competitions will be illegal.
Advertisements will only be allowed to present “factual” information, steering clear of what NACADA refers to as glorifying alcohol.
“Any advertisement of alcoholic products shall be expected to give factual information, not emphasize the strength or merit of alcohol, not negatively cast abstinence from alcohol consumption, and shall not depict alcohol consumption as a lifestyle,” the proposals state.
When it comes to films, music, and performances, any that portray alcohol or substance use in a positive light are off-limits in both print and electronic media.
NACADA emphasizes that this measure is in place to safeguard children, youth, and the general public from the “excessive, misleading, or deceptive inducements of alcohol advertising, promotion, and marketing.”
The new policy is set to increase the legal age for buying, selling, or drinking alcohol from 18 to 21 years old. It also brings in some tough rules about where alcohol can be sold and consumed.
“There shall be no person below the age of twenty-one (21) allowed to access or enter any alcohol selling outlets, whether alone or accompanied,” the policy says.
The new policy aims to ban online sales, home deliveries, street vendors, and vending machines, along with alcohol sales in supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, residential neighborhoods, and areas close to schools.
Drinking alcohol would also be off-limits in restaurants, hotels, public transport, parks, and other public places.
If someone is with a child or carrying any offensive weapons, they won’t be able to buy alcohol either.
On top of that, all alcoholic beverages will have to meet stricter packaging and labeling standards, which will include clear health warnings and ingredient lists.
To tackle the issue of cheap, high-alcohol-content sachets and small bottles, the policy will set a minimum packaging size of 250 ml.
Licensing regulations will be revamped to limit the number and location of alcohol outlets near schools and residential areas, with only the national government overseeing the licensing for alcohol manufacturing and import/export.
To enhance road safety, the policy suggests lowering blood alcohol limits for “young” and professional drivers, implementing mandatory breath tests, suspending licenses, and requiring counseling or treatment for offenders.
Kenya Targets Alcohol Ads
