1. Alcoholic Energy Drinks Cobb Alcohol Taskforce Report & Discussion 11/9/10

2. Let’s Talk About What alcoholic energy drinks are Public health & safety concerns Alcohol industry position Government regulatory authority Local action

3. Alcoholic energy drinks are… Canned drinks w/high alcohol content & stimulants (caffeine, guarana &/or other) Widely popular with teens and youth Exploding in alcohol market since 2006 Causing serious public health problems In the news recently

4. Show Media Clip Here http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/hea lth/2010/10/26/nr.alcoholic.energy.drink.c nn?hpt=C2 http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/hea lth/2010/10/26/nr.alcoholic.energy.drink.c nn?hpt=C2 Find additional resources at this link… http://www.marininstitute.org/site/campa igns/alcoholic-energy-drinks.html http://www.marininstitute.org/site/campa igns/alcoholic-energy-drinks.html

5. Health & safety concerns… Stimulants mask intoxicating effects of alcohol; leading to increased risk-taking Risks are particularly acute for youth & inexperienced drinkers Increases in overdose reports from poison centers across the country No research on long term effects of combining a stimulant & depressant

6. Alcohol industry position… No different than mixing alcohol & Red Bull in bars Nonalcoholic energy drinks $3.2 billion in sales in 2006, fueled expansion of market to include alcohol Grassroots marketing is critical to energy drink promotions (with & w/o alcohol) Two largest manufacturers cease production in 2008; 50 new manufacturers pop up

7. Government authorities… U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), regulates alcohol products Food and Drug Administration (FDA), regulates nonalcoholic energy drinks Federal Trade Commission (FTC), investigates unfair business practices or misleading advertising claims Government oversight of risks to public health & safety is currently weak

8. Talk Back What do YOU see? What can/should WE do? ◦In keeping with taskforce enforcement, policy and education goals... Examples of what OTHERS are doing… ◦MLCC ban sales of products in Michigan ◦PLCB asks beverage distributors to stop carrying products ◦College presidents ban products on campus ◦State governors & attorney generals work on bans ◦Retailers opt to pull products from shelves ◦Advocates write letters demanding government action