Tanzania to ban poorly packed illicit spirits from market

A Tanzanian cabinet minister told Parliament on Tuesday the government was on the final stages of banning production and sale of illicit spirits packed in sachets that was taking its toll on the youth.

Poorly packed liquor sold across the nation has been blamed for harming health of the youth and affecting the production chain in the east African nation.

Charles Mwijage, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, told the National Assembly in the political capital Dodoma that the government was in the final steps of banning the spirits from the local market.

He said the government would give new guidelines on production and packaging of the spirits to save the youth from excessive and unhealthy consumption of the spirits.

"The new packaging will not allow commuter drivers and our students to hide spirits in their pockets or sip it discreetly," said the minister.

Mwijage was responding to a follow up question by Faustine Ndugulile, an MP for Kigamboni, who asked when the government will ban the spirits that he said were posing health hazard to consumers.

Ndugulile said there was great connection between the consumption of the spirits and the increase on drug abuse among the youth. Endit