Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating as a panelist in the East Africa Breakout Room during the Regional Alcohol Policy Dialogue, organized by the University of Stirling in collaboration with the WHO Less Alcohol Unit. The session brought together key stakeholders from across the region to discuss actionable strategies for reducing alcohol-related harm, particularly among young people.
I was honored to share the panel with Hon. Worksemu Mamo Mekonnen, Chairperson of the Health, Social Development, Culture and Sport Standing Committee in Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives; Adrian Njenga, Senior Policy and Planning Officer at NACADA, Kenya; and Juliet Namakusa, Country Director at LM International, Uganda. The plenary was moderated by Dr. Adelheid W. Onyango, Director of the Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations Cluster at WHO AFRO—affectionately dubbed “Chair of the Chairs” for her dual role in the plenary and breakout session.
During the session, we tackled three critical questions: the feasibility of availability measures to reduce youth alcohol use, how legislation can better reflect youth-specific risks, and mechanisms to sustain policy enforcement. I emphasized that many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood stem from behaviors adopted in youth—making early intervention essential.
I highlighted the normalization of alcohol as a commodity and the enforcement gaps that undermine existing laws. I called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and local authorities to enforce the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010, particularly in restricting sale hours, enforcing ID checks, and zoning alcohol outlets away from youth-sensitive areas.
On legislative reform, I advocated for youth vulnerability assessments in policy planning and the inclusion of youth-led advocacy and peer education. To ensure sustainability, I proposed institutionalizing alcohol control within national development frameworks like Vision 2030 and using earmarked alcohol taxes to fund enforcement, education, and rehabilitation.
These are not just policy recommendations—they are urgent calls to action. We must protect our youth from the long-term harms of alcohol by building systems that are resilient, inclusive, and enforceable.
#ActOnNCDs #BeatNCDs #ItsTimeToLead
ODUOR KEVIN 