A new poll shows strong support for efforts in Michigan and other states to ban the sale of powdered alcohol.
A federal panel approved the sale of powdered alcohol earlier this year. Powdered alcohol would be sold in foil packets and enable a person to just add water to create an instant cocktail.
But a new University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health found 60% of adults support a total ban of powdered alcohol.
The chief fear of many in the poll is that powdered alcohol may be too easy to obtain for people under 21.
• 90% of adults are concerned that powdered alcohol will be misused by people under 21
• 85% are concerned that powdered alcohol will increase use of alcohol for people under 21
• 81% are concerned that it will be easy for people under 21 to buy powdered alcohol.
“In the U.S., parents, communities, and healthcare providers already face serious challenges with underage alcohol abuse and its harmful effects on children’s health,” says Matt Davis, the director of the National Poll on Children’s Health and professor of pediatrics and internal medicine in the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the U-M Medical School.
Last month, the Michigan State Senate voted 37 to zero to ban the sale of powdered alcohol. The state House has not yet acted on the bill.
Three states (Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont) have already banned the sale of powdered alcohol.
