Continuing efforts to keep dangerous products away from our youth, state Rep. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, passed legislation last week prohibiting the sale of powdered alcohol in Illinois.
“Every day our children deal with peer pressure that often includes using drugs and alcohol,” Rep. Fine said. “It is important that as a community we take measures to keep very dangerous substances out of the easy reach of our young people.”
Powdered alcohol is a substance that when mixed with water produces an alcoholic beverage. In March of this year, powdered alcohol was approved for sale by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Due to health concerns four states, including South Carolina and Louisiana, have already passed laws prohibiting its sale. Fine’s Senate Bill 67 would make Illinois the fifth state to ban the product. Proponents of the bill argue that the easily concealed powdered alcohol, makes it easier for minors to hide drinking this form of alcohol. They are also concerned that the powder can be snorted or eaten which makes it much easier to consume in large quantities and become intoxicated.
“The speed at which powdered alcohol can be consumed as a liquid and as a powder is frightening to parents who are doing their best to keep their children safe and away from drugs,” Rep. Fine added. “By joining other states that have already banned this product we are taking preventative steps to keep a potentially deadly drug out of our communities.”
Senate Bill 67 was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives and now goes to the governor to be signed into law.