Whisky in Plastic Bags: Africa's Latest Controversy

There is a genuine rush in Cameroon for local whisky delivered in plastic bags. This is due to the drink no longer being available for sale from this month onwards, making whisky unaffordable for locals. From December 31, 2022, the 'whisky-bag' has been outlawed across the entire Central African nation, much to the dismay of its enthusiasts.

Eight years ago, the Cameroonian government announced that there would be a ban on locally distilled whisky. Lab tests have proven that the whisky-bag is exceedingly harmful to health and is responsible for fatalities. Since then, the Cameroonian Consumers Federation (FOCACO) has been advocating for a prohibition. The government confirmed the impending ban on the whisky, but it was postponed until 2016 to enable retailers to sell off their inventory. The whisky, sold in a plastic bag, continued to be tolerated until January 1, 2023, but it will now definitively vanish from sight.

Due to the impending ban, Cameroonian whisky drinkers had been purchasing in bulk to stock up on the affordable version of the golden liquor. The whisky-bag has a reputation as the whisky of the poor in Cameroon. The local whisky has an alcohol content of 42 percent and costs only 100 to 150 CFA francs per bag (equivalent to 15 to 23 euro cents). Each bag contains only 5 centiliters of whisky; however, it is still cheaper than a glass at the bar.

Radio France International spoke to a couple of whisky-bag drinkers. Ismaël states he simply can't afford to pay 650 CFA at a bar for a glass of whisky. He rather prefers buying a whisky-bag. Ebeneze, on the other hand, acknowledges that the whisky is not healthy. He adds that everyone will die at some point, and he'd rather drink the whisky and die than live without it.

Whether the whisky-bag will instantly disappear from the streets following the ban is still uncertain. Given the rush for the drink, it appears that the stocks are now moving to people's homes, who will continue to drink it for some time. It is likely that there will still be illegal distilleries persisting in producing the banned liquor, akin to Moonshine.

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