Safety Concerns Over New Powdered Alcohol

By SheSpeaksTeam Apr 30, 2014

Whether breathing in a Vaportini or reaching for your pocket spray, companies have come up with many new ways to consume alcohol. But how safe are they? A new powdered alcohol (just add water) called Palcohol has received a lot of criticism while the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau says the new product will soon be banned.

Daily Mail reports about the powdered alcohol and how the ATF mistakenly approved the new product they now wish to ban. Palcohol offered consumers powdered vodka, rum, and various cocktails like Mojitos and Cosmopolitans for those that wanted a more portable way to transport their booze. The small powder packets could easily slip into a pocket or purse and later be added to water.

Critics of the powdered alcohol argue that the new product has the potential to be abused by teens and will make it easier to bring alcohol into areas where it is not permitted. The company’s website added to the critics’ concerns by encouraging user to pour the powders over your eggs in the morning and bring them into areas that don’t serve alcohol. The website stated, “Maybe you’re a college football fan. So many stadiums don’t even serve alcohol. What’s that about; watching football without drinking?! That’s almost criminal. Bring Palcohol in and enjoy the game.”

In an attempt to experiment with what the company calls “edgy marketing” Palcohol’s site even posted the following statement before it was quickly removed, “You’ll get drunk almost instantly because the alcohol will be absorbed so quickly in your nose.”

But now that the ATF wants the product banned, Palcohol is making a dramatic attempt to change the way they’re selling the powdery alcohol. Their website explains how the founder, Mark Phillips, had the idea for the powder because he’s an active guy and wanted to figure out a way to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while camping after a long day of hiking without lugging around heavy bottles. The website states, “What we can say now is that we hope the product will be used in a responsible and legal manner. Being in compliance with all Federal and State laws is very important to us. Palcohol will only be sold through establishments that are licensed to sell liquor.”

What do you think of this new product?

Do you think the availability of this powder will increase the chances of it being abused by underage drinkers?

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Comments

by smenisek | Terre Haute, IN

May 29, 2014

As a woman who works in the alcohol industry,and a mother. I do not find where we need a product like this. We already have problems with young people bing drinking we don't need to add fuel to the fire by adding products that make drinking seem more fun.

by TerriRenee | Scottsburg, IN

May 29, 2014

Not a good idea in the times we are living. There is already too many alcoholic teens who need help, and now this stuff will just make it worse. They will be snorting it and like the company said (rather stupidly) you will get drunk really quick through your nose. In my opinion this is worse than pot because s a nurse I see the effects alcohol has on the body, and the horrible death that one goes through. You don't have that with marijuana.

by Meganelewin | FT MITCHELL, KY

May 12, 2014

Not good!

by jcaitlin221 | SOUTHFIELD, MI

May 06, 2014

Frankly, I feel like this is a cool idea. I think it was marketed poorly though, there's edgy and then there's just stupid. I can't see how a company already selling a controversial product thought it was a good plan to bring attention to all the possible problems it could cause. That wasn't their brightest moment and whoever they've employed for marketing should consider a new career. Clearly, they've missed the mark big time here and they're mistake may have cost this company the chance to actually exist in the future.

by jcaitlin221 | SOUTHFIELD, MI

May 06, 2014

If it's only sold by places you can already buy alcohol, I can't see it being easier to get your hands on than traditional alcohol. However, I can see the problems with regulating how and when it's used. Unsupervised teenagers may drink with or without powered alcohol, and I'm not sure that the inventors and the people who would use it responsibly should be punished just because there's a chance that it could be used irresponsibly. I originally heard about this product from my step dad who is an avid outdoorsman. He was really impressed by the idea that he could take this on the 2 week trek he takes with friends through the wilderness every summer and have a drink at the end of the day. He's in his late 50's and is certainly old enough and responsible enough to make decisions about how he consumes alcohol. (cont. below)

by Kay3131 | New York, NY

May 01, 2014

I agree with Mommyof2

by Mommyof2 | SULPHUR, OK

May 01, 2014

This is not good. I can see teenagers getting this and mixing it with their water. Too convenient. I hope it is banned!!