'Sachet whisky makes one vulnerable to 200 diseases'

Despite health risks, drinking alcoholic beverages is a common phenomenon of social gatherings in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, their threat on health and social lives relating to its intoxicating nature is a call for concern.

Following reports from the World Health Organisation, WHO, consuming alcohol can not only lead to dependence but can also increase people’s risk of developing more than 200 diseases, including liver cirrhosis and some cancers. In addition, harmful drinking can lead to violence and injuries.

Alcohol intake can also make people more susceptible to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. The WHO report on the consumption of alcohol also states that, Cameroon consumes about 75.57 percent of alcohol per year.

Despite the ban in 2014 on the sale and consumption of ‘sachet’ whisky in Cameroon, following the ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastics, people, in general, especially some pregnant women still have a huge urge in consuming the product.

Harrison Ade, a medical practitioner observed that there is quite a huge difference between sachet whisky and other types of whiskies. “Sachet whisky has a high alcoholic content from 12 to 47 percent and it has both social and medical effects on its consumers with some of its effects being that of making its consumers addicts and drunks,” Ade said.

For pregnant women, the medic stated that sachet whisky has diverse effects on them such as: malnourishment of the unborn child since the mother does not eat well; it may also affect the child’s mentality and also delay the child in talking and walking and the woman is likely to give birth to an underweight child.

The consumption sachet whisky leads to diseases like liver problems, gastritis and even epilepsy in severe cases.

“I hate sachet whisky because it is not of good quality and can destroy the kidney when taken excessively. People who are addicted to it look older than their ages,” Carine Ebot, a UB Student, opined.

Elnora Eyong, a housewife resident in Molyko averred that she dislikes sachet whisky due to its harsh and wild nature which can lead to drunkenness.

Linda Shum, a nurse at the Dibombari Hospital stated that sachet whisky can lead to broken homes, liver weakness as well as kidney failure.

“The high consumption of alcohol can lead to stomach distortion as one will have stomach bites frequently,” Shum said.

Though many chronic diseases may arise as a result of large consumption of alcohol, there are some persons who still sell and consume it, some because it contains low carbohydrate and it is fats-free, unlike beer.

Mami Theresa, a woman who sells sachet whisky it brings customers and earns profit, especially during the rainy season. She said many people buy this type of whisky because, it is cheaper than beer.

Most consumers also have their personal beliefs as far as this type of whisky is concerned. Some women who consume it claim that it reduces pains during menstruation.

Mispa and Annie, both students, corroborated the assertion that sachet whisky helps to reduce menstrual pain and cleanse the stomach especially when there is stomach disorder.

Romanus Abih, a truck pusher said he loves drinking sachet whisky because it gives him the strength he needs to go about his daily activities.