Alcoholic Energy Drinks

Cobb Alcohol Taskforce Report & Discussion

11/9/10

Let’s Talk About

What alcoholic energy drinks are

Public health & safety concerns

Alcohol industry position

Government regulatory authority

Local action

Alcoholic energy drinks are…

Canned drinks w/high alcohol content & stimulants (caffeine, guarana &/or other)

Widely popular with teens and youth

Exploding in alcohol market since 2006

Causing serious public health problems

In the news recently

Show Media Clip Here

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/10/26/nr.alcoholic.energy.drink.cnn?hpt=C2

Find additional resources at this link… http://www.marininstitute.org/site/campaigns/alcoholic-energy-drinks.html

Health & safety concerns…

Stimulants mask intoxicating effects of alcohol; leading to increased risk-taking

Risks are particularly acute for youth & inexperienced drinkers

Increases in overdose reports from poison centers across the country

No research on long term effects of combining a stimulant & depressant

Alcohol industry position…

No different than mixing alcohol & Red Bull in bars

Nonalcoholic energy drinks $3.2 billion in sales in 2006, fueled expansion of market to include alcohol

Grassroots marketing is critical to energy drink promotions (with & w/o alcohol)

Two largest manufacturers cease production in 2008; 50 new manufacturers pop up

Government authorities…

U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), regulates alcohol products

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulates nonalcoholic energy drinks

Federal Trade Commission (FTC), investigates unfair business practices or misleading advertising claims

Government oversight of risks to public health & safety is currently weak

Talk BackWhat do YOU see?

What can/should WE do?◦ In keeping with taskforce enforcement, policy and education

goals...

Examples of what OTHERS are doing…◦ MLCC ban sales of products in Michigan◦ PLCB asks beverage distributors to stop carrying products◦ College presidents ban products on campus◦ State governors & attorney generals work on bans◦ Retailers opt to pull products from shelves ◦ Advocates write letters demanding government action