The petition
Illinois alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment advocates are fighting for legislation that would mandate warning labels on deceptively packaged alcoholic energy drinks and would direct an additional $41 million to prevention and treatment funding.
Miller Brewing and Anheuser-Busch are producing drinks whose packaging is indistinguishable from their nonalcoholic, teen-focused energy beverages. For the safety of our youth, this must stop.
Alcoholic energy drinks, with brand names like Sparks, Tilt, and Bud Extra, contain not only alcohol but also caffeine and other stimulants.
The Sparks brand is a typical example. The Sparks container—the size, shape, hip graphics, and bright colors—is similar to nonalcoholic energy drinks and displays its alcohol content in small print on the container that can confuse store clerks, parents and police alike.
The legislation mandates clear warning alcohol content labels.
The proposal—House Bill XXXX sponsored by Representative Jane Smith (R-Hinsdale) and Senate Bill YYYY sponsored by Senator Oscar Doodlesnips (D-Chicago)—requires the containers clearly state the product contains alcohol and that it violates state law to sell the product to anyone under aged 21.
In addition to the warning label proposal, House Bill XXXX sponsored by State Representative Olive Doinkenhauser (D-Chicago), would provide an additional $41 million to the state’s chronically under-funded alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment providers. Of that amount, $8.2 million would directly help youth.
The recent entry of alcoholic energy drinks to the market aggravates the problem of underage drinking. Warning label legislation and additional state money would both help to prevent and treat youth drug and alcohol abuse.
Tell the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Rod Blagojevich to support these important bills. Sign our petition.
Also, please forward this petition to family and friends so they can sign, too.
Thank you for your help.
Sara Moscato Howe
CEO
Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association
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