Two Months After Kennedy’s Call, State Senate Passes Bill Banning Sale of Powdered Alcohol

New York State Takes Critical Step Towards Prohibiting Dangerous Product Targeted Towards Teens

Bill Outlawing Versatile Powdered Alcohol Now Ready for Consideration of Assembly 

BUFFALO, NY – Just two months after Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) joined local addiction specialists to push for a ban on the sale of powdered alcohol in New York State, the State Senate passed legislation Monday to do just that. (S.1757A) bans the sale of powdered or crystalline alcohol, citing the potential for it to be used illegally by youth as well as a higher risk of overdose.

 Palcohol, which was recently approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a federal agency responsible for approving labels for alcoholic products, is a powdered alcohol product intended to be mixed into non-alcoholic drinks, such as juice or soda. In April, Kennedy and Peoples-Stokes highlighted concerns that the versatile powder form could be easy for kids to smuggle into underage settings such as schools, proms or youth centers.

“Although powdered alcohol is advertised for use by adults over 21, we all know just how easy it is for such a product to get into the hands of children. As a father of three young kids, I find it deeply troubling that this product could further enable underage drinking, and ultimately contribute to more frequent abuse,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “By passing legislation this week to ban powdered alcohol, my colleagues in the Senate are taking a stand to protect the safety and health of our youth. It’s time for the Assembly to now step up to do the same.”

Representatives from Horizon Health Services, Kids Escaping Drugs, WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse Inc., and Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse stand with Kennedy and Peoples-Stokes in their fight to ban the sale of powdered alcohol. Addiction specialists say the dangers of powdered alcohol could be devastating to youth, and say this legislation takes a necessary step to reduce the potentially harmful impact it could have.

“Underage drinking is strongly associated with many health and social problems including alcohol-impaired driving, physical fighting, poor school performance, sexual activity and smoking,” said Horizon Health Services President & CEO Anne Constantino. “Powdered alcohol has a very large potential for abuse.  The best strategy for prevention is to reduce availability.”

“Kids Escaping Drugs is thrilled to hear this legislation has passed the Senate. We applaud Senator Kennedy and Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes for pushing for this legislation to ban the use and distribution of Palcohol to individuals under the age of 21,” said Kids Escaping Drugs Executive Director Robin Clouden.  “Alcohol is one of the gateway drugs sometimes leading to use of other chemicals.  By banning this easily accessible powdered form, all involved are taking the necessary steps to keep this product out of the hands of our children and reduce the potentially harmful impact that could occur.  We continue to partner with, and are very proud of the work we have been able to accomplish with our local delegation, advocating for the adolescents we serve.” 

“By passing this bill we are one step closer to protecting our youth from the many dangers of substance abuse. Any step that we can take to prevent  addiction is a step in the right direction,” said WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse Program Director Beth Anzalone. “We are looking to the Assembly to further support this action.”

While Kennedy and Peoples-Stokes continue to push for a ban in New York State, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer has also introduced legislation that would ban the production, sale, and possession of powdered alcohol throughout the country. 

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