Advocates, Sen. Steans Jolt Liquor Biz's Caffeine-Spiked Alcohol Drinks; Push Clear, Detailed Alcohol Content Warning Labels

(Chicago, IL) -- Advocates from the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA) and State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) pushed their plan at a press conference this week to slap clear, detailed alcohol warning labels on the liquor industry's newest marketing invention to seduce teens into an early, boozy lifestyle--alcoholic energy drinks--like Sparks, Tilt, and Bud Extra.

Sparks, Tilt, Bud Extra? Sound unfamiliar?

They should--unless you're under 21 and hanging out in MySpace.Com, Facebook and the other kiddie social networking Web sites. That's where the liquor companies are plugging both their non-alcoholic energy drinks and their booze-addled cousins in virtually indistinguishable containers.

These hip, happenin', color-streaked containers and their itzy-bitzy, microscopic warning labels fool convenience store clerks, cops, and parents alike. Of course, which is the point.

Steans' legislation, SB 2472, proscribes the size, placement, etc. of alcohol content warning labels. The Senate Executive Committee approved the measure, 9-2, on March 12, but Steans is holding the bill on 2nd reading, because, of course, the deep-pocketed liquor companies have their knickers in a knot. They fear--expense. Egads.

But Steans and the advocates have a powerful ally--Illinois Attorney Lisa Madigan. A few weeks ago, Madigan stuck her neck out and told the Springfield State Journal-Register that the alcoholic energy drinks should be banned altogether. Kapow!

State Sens. Mattie Hunter, Maggie Crotty, Lou Viverito, Christine Radogno, Jacqueline Collins, Susan Garrett and Iris Martinez have joined as legislative co-sponsors. And had he wanted, State Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) could have rubbed out the bill. He didn't.

Video clip of March 24 press conference available at Your Two Cents Less