Should caffeinated-alcoholic drinks be banned?

By Jessica Estrada
January 31st, 2011
Section: Opinions - Question of the Day

Fruit-flavored caffeinated-alcoholic beverages have become the latest drink craze.

The popular drinks are inexpensive beverages and due to high alcohol content, only require a small amount to intoxicate you for an entire night out with friends. For example, a can of Four Loko contains 12 percent alcohol, which is twice as potent as many US beers.

Some states and college campuses have already banned the drinks because of health warnings. However, it still remains legal in California.

The Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to manufacturers saying the drinks were unsafe. The FDA doesn’t support adding caffeine to alcoholic beverages and sees it as a public health concern.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that those who mix alcohol with energy drinks are three times more likely to binge drink.

Manufacturers are saying that the fruit flavored alcohol drinks will be made without caffeine but they may not be as popular among consumers.

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  • David the small-L libertarian

    The FDA should butt out of this issue (and many others). So what’s next? Will I next not be able to order an Irish or Mexican coffee at my local bar?

    Because somone might abuse one thing over another is not a reason to ban it. Why not ban beer because college students are more likely to abuse it than say, wine? Why not ban ANYTHING that contains alcohol and tastes good because people are more likely to drink more of it?

    Such foolishness! Government: Please stop!