Dive Brief:
- Alcohol watchdog group Alcohol Justice wrote a letter to the California legislature and the Secretary of State requesting an emergency ban for the sale of powdered or crystalline alcohol items like Palcohol.
- The letter cites a long list of health concerns, including its potentially damaging effects on young people, as reasons to institute the ban. It also names California as "the largest alcohol market in the U.S. and suffers the most alcohol-related harm," according to Michael Scippa, director of public affairs at Alcohol Justice, quoted in a press release.
- The letter also states that five other states, including South Carolina, Louisiana, and Vermont, have already put similar bans in place, and 14 other states are currently deliberating comparable legislation.
Dive Insight:
Earlier this month, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the sale of Palcohol, or powdered alcohol packets, in the country. Arizona-based company Lipsmark LLC created a more convenient way for people to consume alcohol without having to carry around large bottles, as the powder can easily be mixed with water, fruit drinks, or other beverages. It is this ease of use that concerns some, which has led to legislative bans in some states, considerations in others, and the emergency ban request in California.
Bruce Lee Livingston, CEO and executive director of Alcohol Justice, said in a press release, "We agree with New York Senator Chuck Schumer who said Palcohol 'will become the 'Kool-Aid' of teenage binge drinking' and it will lead to acute alcohol poisoning and death. The sense of urgency is real, we need our elected state leaders to take action this year to keep this public health and safety threat out of California."
Most recently in Indiana, a House committee was all in favor of not letting the product be sold, bought, or flat-out allowed in the state, potentially banning powdered alcohol before it can even get to stores there.