Côte d’Ivoire : Case suspension of alcoholic energy drinks, government called to end this situation
The issue of alcoholic energy drinks continues to stir controversy within Ivorian society, especially in the consumer market. Will the Ivorian authorities lift the suspension, which they claim is aimed at protecting public health? Especially since this decision has not changed the situation. The concern to preserve public health, the stated reason for suspending the import and distribution of energy drinks, seems to hide something else.
According to our investigations, the real issue the authorities are trying to address is the combination (tramadol + drinks) that consumers are making. Despite the suspension, the situation has not changed. Young people are turning to other beverages to make their mix. Therefore, the struggle that Ivorians are waging is elsewhere.
The Ivorian authorities should instead prohibit the import, distribution, and sale of substances like tramadol and its derivatives rather than temporarily suspending alcoholic energy drinks. Moreover, this suspension is supposed to end on December 31, 2023, indicating that the authorities have other motives.
It is taken to favor certain (French) breweries at the expense of others. It is an unfair competition aimed at denigrating energy drinks. The authorities must put an end to this confusion.
