After the hospitalization of nine Central Washington University students in October, the Washington State Liquor Control Board with Gov. Christine Gregoire and state Attorney General Rob McKenna banned all alcoholic energy drinks this morning, effective Nov. 18, 2010.
While overuse of alcohol on college campuses is nothing new, this type of drink presents a public health concern. One "blackout in a can" drink has an alcoholic equivalent of 6 beers or a bottle of wine, at a fraction of the cost. Each 24-ounce can of Four Loko contains 12 percent alcohol, which is double most other available alcoholic beverages, and costs only $2.50.
Most inexperienced drinkers rapidly consume several drinks per hour and a comparable drinking pattern with Four Loko can quickly result in lethal poisoning. Toxicology reports indicated the CWU students presented with blood-alcohol levels ranging from 0.12 percent to 0.35 percent, reaching over the lethal amount. One student nearly died.
Five states now have restrictions on energy drinks combined with alcohol, and several others are petitioning for similar legislation.
The ban has created strong opinions throughout the state. Some say people will continue to drink quantities of liquor resulting in blood poisoning, as they have in the past, and view this ban as more evidence of Washington's nanny-state political actions. Supporters say many adolescents and other underage drinkers are unaware the drink combines a stimulant with depressant, and the dangerous consequences this causes especially for kids whose bodies are still developing.
Gov. Gregoire's position includes the marketing approach of these drinks. In this morning's press conference she compared the brightly-colored cans, fruity flavors, and cheap price to the Joe Camel ads which made cigarettes look cool to kids. She hopes the F.D.A. will ban the drinks across America.
"Party blogs" have touted the effects of Four Loko as "making you irresistible," calling the drink "liquid cocaine." Some go so far as to encourage mixing it with grain alcohol for even greater effect.
Four Loko was created in 2005 by three Ohio State graduates after watching many students mix their own alcohol and caffeine drinks. In a statement the company says, "Again, the events in central Washington this month were inexcusable. And most would expect our company to disagree with recent decisions to ban our products from college campuses or otherwise restrict their use there. We do not... Making college campuses safe and healthy environments for learning is a goal we share with administrators – even those who have chosen to ban our products. However, we also know that curbing alcohol abuse on college campuses will not be accomplished by singling out a lone product or beverage category."
Sources:
Statement Regarding Incident at Central Washington University, October 26, 2010 (accessed November 10, 2010).
Seattle Times, "State Bans 'Blackout In A Can' Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks", November 10, 2010 (accessed November 10, 2010).
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