"Recent medical and scientific research suggests that alcohol-energy drinks create a dangerous mixespecially for youth," said Sharon Foster, board chair. "Drinking alcohol pre-mixed with caffeine or other stimulants pose a threat because they can make you feel less intoxicated [image-nocss] than you actually are, potentially leading to risk taking behavior such as drunk drinking and violence."
State Representative Tami Green is the prime sponsor of the bill. This bipartisan bill is also sponsored by representatives Hudgins, Goodman, Conway, Chandler, Crouse, Condotta, Moeller, Miloscia, Darneille and Hunt.
"There's a serious problem when a main contributor to the leading cause of death in teens is disguised as a harmless energy drink," Green said. "As a mother and grandmother, I'm deeply concerned about the young people affected by this misperception."
Under House Bill 2804, a new section that reads "Any caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage, as defined in RCW 66.04.010, are prohibited for sale in the state of Washington" would be added to Revised Code of Washington chapter 66.28.
The following description would be added to RCW 66.04.010: "'Caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage' means a beverage to which is added caffeine or other stimulants including, but not limited to, guarana, ginseng, and taurine, and contains at least one-half of one percent alcohol by volume."
At the request of state attorneys general, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 13, 2009, sent letters notifying nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety of their products. The FDA also plans to consider whether caffeine can lawfully be added to alcoholic beverages. If the FDA determines such products are not safe or lawful, it will take action to remove the products from the marketplace.
In October 2009, the WSLC signed Liquor Control Board Policy #09-2009, which prohibits marketing or point-of-sale material in liquor stores that suggests or recommends the use of energy drinks with alcoholic beverages.
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