Remember all the hype when the invention of powdered alcohol was announced? Apparently, not all state legislators are thrilled about the idea, and New York officials are among those who want to see its sale banned.
Starting March this year when it received authorization from the the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the product known as “Palcohol” has been making its way into liquor stores with great determination.
However, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is to sign on Friday a new legislation that will add New York on the already-long list of states (22 so far) that have rendered its sale illegal in recent months. Cuomo defended his stance by claiming that the powdered drink is dangerous and “a public health disaster waiting to happen.”
And critics across US seem to agree with him; a vocal majority believes the product is a gateway for underage drinking due to its small and easily-concealed packaging. Another concern refers to the fact that it’s a new alcoholic product whose exact effects on the organism are rather unknown, which could lead to dangerous levels of intoxication.
One of the major sponsors of the bill, Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, gave a heartfelt explanation for his position against the sale of powdered alcohol. He explained that each time a new substance or drug has taken a toll on our communities, concerned authorities wondered if there was anything to be done to avoid it.
That’s why this law has the potential to prevent a new wave of addiction and to offer a rare opportunity of proactively averting the exposure to one more dangerous substance.
Another sponsor, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, D-Brooklyn, made a case of questioning the existence of powdered alcohol, claiming it has “no legitimate reason for being.” Due to the small bags in which the alcoholic substance is stored in, kids and teenagers can just fit them in their pockets on their way to a party and their parents would never know.
Even though getting federal approval for the product was a hassle, Lipsmark, the chief company marketing it, is now toys with the idea of offering several other varieties, such as rum, vodka and several cocktail flavors.
Their comeback in the argument of Palcohol’s dangerous factor – that it is somehow more harming than regular booze – has been posted on the company’s website. They argue that the banning-streak against the product is not a matter of public safety, but an issue of major liquor players protecting their market profits.
Image Source: CTV News
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