Sheepshead Bay Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz’ bill to ban the sale of powdered alcohol (also known as Palcohol) in New York State was passed by the Assembly on Thursday, June 11. The legislation was also approved in the Senate on Monday, June 8.
Palcohol was approved for sale earlier this year by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, part of the U.S. Treasury Department, but the powder packets – which can turn water into a mixed drink – have already been banned by several states amid fears of abuse.
“Kids can just stash Palcohol in their pocket like it’s Kool-Aid powder and no one will ever be the wiser, including their parents,” said Cymbrowitz, former chair of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. “As we devote our energies to addressing the substance abuse crisis that’s devastating our young people, it seems irresponsible to sell a product that makes it easier for kids to engage in dangerous and potentially addictive behavior.”